Deshabandu Tennakoon has become the first sitting Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Sri Lanka to be removed by a parliamentary vote. Parliament passed the resolution today with 177 votes in favour, none against, and one abstention.

His dismissal follows findings of serious misconduct, abuse of power, and criminal complicity by a special committee appointed by the Constitutional Council, which deemed him unfit to serve in the police.

Tennakoon, initially appointed as acting IGP in November 2023 and confirmed in February 2024 by then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, faced criticism over the constitutionality of his appointment. He is currently on bail over a 2023 shooting incident in Weligama and was suspended by the Supreme Court in July 2024.