Historic First: Sri Lanka’s Parliament Impeaches Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon

Colombo, Sri Lanka – August 8, 2025

In a historic and unprecedented move, Sri Lanka’s Parliament has officially impeached Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, declaring him unfit to hold office. This marks the first time in the country’s history that a sitting police chief has been removed through parliamentary action.

The decision, passed after a parliamentary debate earlier this week, sent shockwaves through the nation’s political and law enforcement circles. Tennakoon, 54, headed a force of over 85,000 officers and had held the top post in the Sri Lanka Police since 2023.

While the full details of the impeachment proceedings have not yet been released to the public, sources within Parliament cited a range of serious concerns, including allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, and failure to uphold public trust.

Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced the decision during a special session, stating:

“This is a significant moment in our democratic process. No one is above accountability—not even the head of our national police force.”

Public response has been mixed. Some civil society organizations and human rights advocates welcomed the move as a long-overdue step toward reform and transparency within the police. Others questioned the timing and political motivations behind the decision.

Tennakoon has yet to issue a public statement following the impeachment. It remains unclear whether he will legally contest the decision or accept the parliamentary ruling.

This historic impeachment is expected to set a strong precedent for future leadership in Sri Lanka’s public service institutions, particularly regarding accountability and governance.