Matara Magistrate’s Court grants bail to Deshabandu

Friday, 11 April 2025 02:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Suspended IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon

The Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted bail to suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Thennakoon.

The Court released Thennakoon on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.

The suspended IGP was wanted in connection with the shooting incident in front of a prominent hotel in Pelena, area of Weligama, Matara in 2023. Thennakoon was accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police and the Special Task Force (STF), which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another.

The deployment of the CCD team was found to be illegal and, therefore, the Court ordered the arrest of the former IGP and seven others.

After an open warrant was issued to arrest Thennakoon, he surrendered before the Matara Court, having evaded arrest for 20 days and was later remanded.