Sri Lanka debates impeachment of disgraced police chief

Sri Lanka's parliament is debating a resolution Tuesday to sack police chief Deshabandu Tennakoon for misconduct and criminal behaviour, the first time a police inspector-general is facing impeachment.

Tennakoon, 54, would become the first head of police in the island's history to be dismissed, after a disciplinary hearing found him unfit to lead its 85,000-strong law enforcement force.

"This Parliament resolves... that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Deshabandu Tennakoon, based on the findings of guilt recorded by the Committee of Inquiry... be removed from the office of the IGP," read a motion listed on Tuesday's agenda.

Officials said a vote would be taken later on Tuesday following a debate in the 225-member house, where the ruling party commands a comfortable two-thirds majority. The opposition has also supported the impeachment.

Tennakoon was appointed police chief in November 2023, despite Sri Lanka's highest court having earlier ruled that he tortured a suspect in custody by rubbing menthol balm on his genitals.

He also stands accused of authorising a botched raid in December 2023 that triggered a gun battle between rival police units in the coastal resort town of Weligama, leading to the death of an officer.

The committee that investigated the allegations against Tennakoon found that he had "spearheaded the questionable, illegal act of shooting" at the W15 hotel.

A local police unit had opened fire on a team sent by Tennakoon to intimidate the hotel's owner.

A state prosecutor told the committee that the police chief was running a "criminal network" and was unfit to serve, even at the lowest rank in the police force.

There has been no reaction from Tennakoon since the impeachment process was initiated last month.

© Agence France-Presse