Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has formally approved the removal of Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, following an unprecedented parliamentary vote.

 

 

 

The dismissal was based on a resolution passed in Parliament on August 5, which received 177 votes in favour, with no opposition and one abstention. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne submitted the resolution to the President, completing the legal process for Tennakoon’s removal.

 

 

 

 

Tennakoon is the first serving police chief in Sri Lanka to be removed through parliamentary action. A special committee appointed by Parliament had earlier found him guilty of abuse of power and misconduct, leading to the recommendation for his dismissal.

 

 

 

 

Tennakoon was already under suspension and had appeared in court earlier this year in connection with separate legal proceedings. The President is expected to nominate a new candidate for the post, whose appointment will be subject to approval by the Constitutional Council.