- Harbouring Tennakoon a crime, warns Manatunga
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has intensified its search for Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Buddhika Manatunga revealed yesterday (8).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, he said that anyone found harbouring or aiding Tennakoon, who was currently wanted by law enforcement, would also be guilty of an offence under Section 209 of the Penal Code.
“Under Section 209 of the Penal Code, aiding and abetting a person who is known to have committed a crime is also a crime,” Manatunga stressed.
“The information that he is a wanted man has been published widely, so everybody is aware that he is a wanted man. Harbouring a criminal is a crime and we will arrest anyone who does so.”
Tennakoon, who served as the IGP until recently, is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt after a court issued an order for his arrest. Manatunga made it clear that Tennakoon would not receive any special treatment despite his position.
“The Police will not treat him any differently. The court has issued an order and we have to comply,” he stated.
The CID has taken charge of the investigation, according to Manatunga.
“When the local Police investigates, it would usually have multiple teams deployed, but this search is being conducted by the CID,” he explained.
“They have a way of conducting their investigations and I am unable to divulge any details on their efforts as there is an element of confidentiality in their work. Their strategies may include increasing the number of officers involved in the investigations,” he added.
Authorities have also obtained a travel ban on Tennakoon to prevent him from leaving the country through legal channels.
“We are sure that he has not left the country using legal means. However, there are some who would employ illegal means of escaping the country and we are monitoring all possible avenues,” Manatunga said.
The Police has urged the public to come forward with any information regarding Tennakoon’s whereabouts. “We definitely welcome such information if people have any information on his whereabouts. You can provide the information to the Director of the CID,” he said.
The Matara Magistrate’s Court issued the arrest warrant for the IGP in connection with a shooting incident outside the W15 Hotel in Weligama in 2023. The order included the arrest of seven other Colombo Crime Division personnel.