Following an interim order from the Supreme Court restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from continuing as Inspector General of Police, the next in line for the position, according to seniority, are Senior DIGs Laith Pathinayake, Priyantha Weerasuriya and Nilantha Jayawardena.
However, Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on compulsory leave by the National Police Commission last week amidst a disciplinary investigation related to the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
A senior officer informed that Senior DIG P.P.S.M Dharmaratne from the Sabaragamuwa Province is also among those in consideration due to seniority.
He said that with Jayawardena on leave, either Senior DIGs Pathinayake or Priyantha Weerasuriya are likely to be appointed as the acting IGP.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe will submit names to the Constitutional Council for the appointment of an acting IGP.
Currently, Priyantha Weerasuriya serves as Senior DIG in charge of the North Central Province, while Pathinayake is Senior DIG in the Central Province.
Earlier this year, Pathinayake was acquitted of charges related to the Easter Sunday attacks by a commission appointed by the National Police Commission.
When inqured regarding the ongoing island-wide operation ‘Yukthiya,’ launched under the direct supervision of Deshabandu Tennakoon, the senior officer said that the operation will proceed unaffected by recent developments.
Deshabandu Tennakoon assumed office as the 36th Inspector General of Police on February 26 this year, amidst strong opposition from several civil organizations.
