An open warrant has been issued against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon by the Matara Magistrate’s Court, upon the request of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said Ada Derana reporter.

The CID informed the Matara Magistrate’s Court today that a total of ten suspicious locations across the island had been inspected, and intelligence officers had been deployed to eighteen other locations in an effort to arrest the former IGP.

On March 10, former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an order to prevent his arrest. 

The petition, filed through his legal representatives, requested that an interim injunction be issued to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

Previously, the Matara Magistrate’s Court had issued the warrant in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

On March 6, Sri Lanka Police announced that former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon cannot be located and is evading arrest. 

Sri Lanka Police had urged the public to report any information regarding his whereabouts to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Furthermore, the Police Spokesman emphasized that anyone assisting the former IGP in evading arrest, despite the pending warrant, will face legal action under Article 209 of the Penal Code.

The incident in question dates back to December 31, 2023, when a team from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) traveled to Weligama in Matara with the intention of arresting individuals associated with the notorious underworld figure, Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias ‘Harak Kata.’

According to police, the CCD officers, who were in civilian attire, were attacked from inside the W15 Hotel, prompting them to return fire. 

A mobile patrol vehicle from the Weligama Police Station arrived at the scene and opened fire on the CCD officers’ van due to a misunderstanding, as the Weligama Police mistakenly believed the van was transporting criminals.

As a result, the van fled the scene, but two CCD officers inside sustained gunshot wounds. One of the injured officers, 47-year-old Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara of the CCD, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.

A preliminary inquest into the incident was conducted at the Matara Chief Magistrate’s Court, and the verdict was announced on March 27. 

Following this, the CID was instructed to arrest and produce eight individuals, including former Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, before the court.