• Charges that SC should have consulted EC prior to issuing interim order
• says that speaker and CJ must reach a solution swiftly
• Says Speaker has sought AG’s advice regarding matter

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (28) called upon Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice (CJ) to engage in discussions and address the crisis regarding the Inspector General of Police (IGP) position following the Supreme Court's (SC) interim order which bars Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP.

Addressing a gathering held yesterday, he opined that the SC should have consulted the EC before issuing the interim order. He emphasised the necessity of having the IGP's authorisation for deploying police during the election, noting that no subordinate position within the Police Department holds the authority to do so. "Therefore, a solution must be reached swiftly," he added.

Wickremesinghe also mentioned that the Speaker of Parliament had sought the Attorney General's (AG) advice on the matter and was prepared to discuss it with the CJ to find a resolution. "I have been informed by Speaker Abeywardena, that he has sought advice from the AG reading the matter and he is willing to engage in discussions with the CJ to reach a consensus," said Wickremesinghe.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to holding the Presidential Election on the date announced by the Election Commission (EC) urging relevant institutions to support him and the Commission in ensuring the election proceeds smoothly.

The SC's interim order, issued last week (24) prevents Tennakoon from performing his duties as the IGP following the acceptance of nine petitions challenging his appointment. This decision necessitates the President appointing a suitable interim IGP while the case is pending. Given the critical role of the IGP in ensuring law and order during the election period, several parties raised concerns that the resolution of this matter is essential to maintain the integrity and security of the forthcoming Presidential Election. However, the EC last week announced that the absence of a permanent IGP would not affect the election process as the security operations would be handled by a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police who is in charge of election affairs.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka, several legal experts and the opposition have criticised Wickremesinghe for not acting on the SC interim order, with many in Sri Lanka concerned that the ongoing showdown between the Executive and the Judiciary will create a climate of uncertainty and disrupt Sri Lanka’s slow economic recovery.