Irrespective of whatever the Cabinet of Ministers may decide, Deshabandu Tennekoon is now restrained by the Court from functioning as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) until the final determination of the cases, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris said.
In a message on social media, the former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said this order of the Supreme Court is operative now and that orders of courts cannot be overturned by Cabinet decisions.
President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris further clarified that Deshabandu Tennekoon can no longer exercise the powers or functions of the IGP. “Any attempt to defy the court order by any party will be contempt of court and will have no legal force,” he added.
His comments come in response to news reports that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to thoroughly study the Supreme Court order on the position of the IGP and its legal aspects, and will convey its decision within the next two days.
The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from performing duties in the post of IGP.
The court also ordered the President to name a suitable person for the post, during the period of the interim order being enforced against Tennakoon.
The court order was issued after taking up for consideration nine petitions that had been filed by several parties, including Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, challenging the President’s decision to appoint Tennakoon as the IGP. (Newswire)
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