Deshabandu denies accepting consultancy position at SLC

Western Province Senior 

Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon

• Leaked document shows top cop was offered security consultancy by SLC in 2021 
• SDIG Tennekoon claims he was unable to accept offer due to provisions in Establishments Code 
• Says all media reports claiming he accepted post and served SLC are false

Amidst the ongoing cricket crisis, Senior DIG (Western Province) Deshabandu Tennekoon was compelled to issue a clarification yesterday in response to allegations that he had taken on a consultancy role at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in August 2021.

In a statement, Tennekoon refuted the claims and clarified that although was offered the position, he had declined it based on the advice of the then Secretary of Public Security, Major General (Retired) Jagath Dias. The clarification from the top cop came after the copy of the contract offered to Tennekoon was leaked on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) yesterday.

The document, dated 7 August 2021, revealed that Tennekoon had been extended an offer for the position of Advisor to the Consultant (Security and Marshalling) for a two-year term, commencing on 16 August 2021. The contract also outlined various aspects, including details regarding remuneration, bonuses, and other benefits, along with a strict confidentiality clause.

In support of his clarification, Tennekoon also made public a copy of the letter dated 5 November 2021 he had sent to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), in which he formally declined the position that had been offered to him.

In the letter, Tennekoon had pointed out that he couldn’t accept the position due to the requirement outlined in the XXX chapter of the Establishments Code which mandates him to obtain permission from the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security to accept another service offer. He had emphasised that he was unable to accept the position because he had not yet received the necessary permission from the Secretary.