Tennakoon’s tenure has been further marred by a controversial police operation in December 2023 at the W15 hotel in Weligama. The raid, supposedly part of an anti-drug initiative, led to a shootout between rival police units.

Sri Lanka’s police force is facing an unprecedented leadership crisis following the dismissal of its second-highest-ranking officer and the looming impeachment of its Inspector-General. The back-to-back developments mark the most significant shake-up in the 159-year history of the country’s law enforcement establishment.

On Thursday, the National Police Commission unanimously voted to dishonourably discharge Senior Deputy Inspector-General (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena, once tipped to become the next Inspector-General of Police. His dismissal stems from his catastrophic failure as head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed at least 279 people and injured more than 500 in a coordinated wave of attacks targeting churches and hotels.

Jayawardena, who held the top intelligence post during the attacks, faced a disciplinary inquiry led by a three-member panel chaired by a retired High Court judge. The inquiry found him guilty on all seven charges brought against him, including negligence, obstruction of justice, and misconduct.

His career began to unravel after the Supreme Court ruled in early 2023 that he had deliberately attempted to shield former President Maithripala Sirisena from accountability, despite clear evidence that intelligence warnings had been received 17 days before the bombings. The Court held Jayawardena personally liable for the state’s inaction and ordered him to pay Rs. 75 million in compensation to the victims.

Accountability Proceedings

In a further blow to his credibility, investigators revealed that Jayawardena had erased all data from his mobile phone before handing it over, later claiming he had reset the device to factory settings for his wife’s use. Although Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) possesses the technology to recover deleted data, this capability was reportedly not utilized—raising further questions about deliberate interference in the investigation. Investigators remain convinced that Jayawardena acted to shield the former president and misled authorities.

His dismissal follows his suspension by the National Police Commission on July 18, 2024. Official sources suggest that this termination may only be the beginning of wider accountability proceedings, including potential criminal charges.

Meanwhile, attention is now squarely focused on Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who could soon become the first police chief in Sri Lanka’s history to be impeached.

Tennakoon, appointed IGP in November 2023, is facing a slew of allegations, including overseeing what one parliamentary inquiry described as a “criminal enterprise” masquerading as a law enforcement body. His conduct is currently under review by a three-member panel appointed by Parliament and chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. A decision is expected within the coming week.

Parliament unanimously voted on April 8 to initiate a formal inquiry into Tennakoon’s actions. Among the most serious accusations is his involvement in the torture of a suspect in custody—rubbing menthol balm on the victim’s genitals—a practice condemned by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court prior to his appointment. Despite the court’s ruling, Tennakoon was promoted to the highest post in the force, backed strongly by then Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and endorsed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Rival Police Units

Tennakoon’s tenure has been further marred by a controversial police operation in December 2023 at the W15 hotel in Weligama. The raid, supposedly part of an anti-drug initiative, led to a shootout between rival police units. No narcotics were recovered from the scene, prompting public outrage and internal scrutiny.

In July 2024, the Supreme Court suspended Tennakoon pending the resolution of a separate legal challenge to the legitimacy of his appointment. The Constitutional Council vote that confirmed his appointment has since come under fire for ignoring prior judicial warnings and public concerns.

Should the parliamentary inquiry find Tennakoon guilty of misconduct, Parliament will be required to vote on his removal. Both the ruling party and the opposition have expressed bipartisan support for his ouster—an unusual show of unity in Sri Lanka’s often fractious political landscape.

“The message is clear: impunity will no longer be tolerated, regardless of rank,” said one senior lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The credibility of our police force is at stake, and the public has had enough.”

These dual cases signal a broader reckoning for Sri Lanka’s law enforcement hierarchy. With its top two officers either sacked or facing imminent removal, the police department is expected to undergo significant structural reforms.

Analysts suggest the shake-up could pave the way for a new generation of leadership within the force—one that is hopefully more accountable and insulated from political patronage.

As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the long-term fallout of the Easter bombings and systemic issues in its justice system, the removal of Jayawardena and the potential impeachment of Tennakoon represent watershed moments in the country’s efforts to restore public trust in its institutions.

For the victims of the 2019 attacks, and for those affected by police misconduct in more recent years, justice may finally be beginning to take its course.