Deshabandu Tennekoon visits Gangaramaya yesterday to seek blessings after being appointed Acting IGP

• Says he would work together with other experienced officers to improve police service
• Promises to implement program to eradicate drug menace 
• Denies any affiliation to a political party and says he does not consider affiliation, religion, caste, or creed when serving people

The newly appointed Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon yesterday assured he would prioritise national security and strive to eliminate organised crime in the country.

Speaking to the media, following the announcement of his appointment by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Tennekoon said he would work together with all experienced officers to improve the police service. 

“The top priority on my list is national security. We must focus on it. Secondly, my priority will be eradicating the drug menace, which has become an issue among schoolchildren,” he said. The new acting IGP said he would implement a special program for the purpose. 

“I will also look into organised crime and extortion,” he said. Tennekoon also denied any links to a particular political party and emphasised that he does not consider party affiliation, religion, caste, or creed when serving the people.

Tennekoon was appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday after months of failing to appoint an IGP in March this year which was when the former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne was due to retire. Wickramaratne was forced to remain in service until last week, due to the inability of relevant parties to find a suitable candidate for the post.

Tennekoon is an old boy from Nalanda College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Police as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1998 before rising through the ranks. He served as Senior DIG Western Province before his appointment as Acting IGP. He is set to retire in July 2034. 

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