AG directs CID not to arrest others in Weligama shooting except Deshabandu

Monday, 17 March 2025 04:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Thennakoon expects ruling for writ application challenging previous order in Court of Appeal today
Other six suspects also file writ petition to avoid arrest, hearing set for Friday
CID deploys six teams to proceed with suspended IGP’s arrest as investigations continue

The Attorney General (AG) has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and five other suspects in connection with the 2023 Weligama hotel shooting incident at this stage, while suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Thennakoon remains the only officer still facing arrest in connection with the case.

This move follows an agreement reached between the AG and the petitioners’ lawyers.

In a statement issued yesterday, Sri Lanka Police provided updates on the ongoing investigation involving the suspended IGP and six other suspects.

The shooting incident took place on 31 December 2023 near a hotel in Weligama, leading to the arrest of six individuals, including IGP Thennakoon, who was later suspended, and CCD OIC Anslam De Silva.

The suspects were presented before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on 27 February, and the Court subsequently issued orders for their arrest. Following this order, the CID sought guidance from the AG and the Acting IGP regarding the next steps. Suspended IGP Thennakoon challenged the Magistrate’s Court order by filing a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, which is set to deliver its ruling today (17).

Meanwhile, the other six suspects also filed a writ petition requesting that they not be arrested. Based on the agreement reached between the AG and the petitioners’ lawyers, the CID has been instructed not to proceed with their arrests at this stage.

Instead, the suspects have been directed to appear before the CID for questioning, while preliminary investigations continue. The Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear their writ petition on Friday (21).

So far, the six suspects have not been arrested and the CID has deployed six investigation teams to proceed with the arrest of suspended IGP Thennakoon as legal proceedings continue.

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