March 17, 2025 – March 23, 2025 | Vol.15, #12
Events:
On February 28, the Magistrate’s Court in Matara issued a warrant for the arrest of Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with a fatal shooting incident in Weligama in December 2023.[1][2]
On March 6, the Police Media Spokesperson Buddhika Manatunga announced that Tennakoon could not be located and was evading arrest.[3][4] Manatunga also urged the public to report any information regarding Tennakoon’s whereabouts to the CID.[5][6]
On March 19, Deshabandu Tennakoon appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court.[7][8]
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Key insight:
- There was contrasting commentary around the delay in arresting Deshabandu Tennakoon – in the mainstream and social media – with regard to how the government is perceived in the context of lethargy in law enforcement.
Analysis
Since Deshabandu Tennakoon’s initial appointment as acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), he was seen as a ‘problematic’ figure and considered unsuitable for the role. He faced various allegations ranging from abuse of police power to orchestrating an attack on the aragalaya.[1] Most damningly, the Supreme Court ruled that he had violated the fundamental rights of a suspect by subjecting him to torture.[2]
However, in his favour, in the past he has also been depicted as a ‘protector’ of Sinhala-Buddhist cultural interests and been positioned as a key figure in the fight against social evils such as drugs and organised crime.[3]
Last week’s reporting on Deshabandu prompted commentary on both the government and the police. Mainstream media reflected a mistrust of the government, citing its lack of action against Deshabandu. In contrast, social media commentary expressed impatience regarding Deshabandu’s pursuit of justice, while also reflecting trust in the government.[4]
Mainstream media: Reflects mistrust of the government for the lack of action against Deshabandu
The relevant commentary focused specifically on the government’s failure to promptly locate and arrest Deshabandu, who evaded police capture for over 18 days.[5]
Anidda criticised the government, arguing that the failure of the police to arrest Deshabandu was a failure of the state and reflected the government’s inability to act decisively.
Social media: Reflects trust towards the government but impatience with the delivery of justice
On social media, the dominant sentiment was one of impatience, with users calling for swift, decisive action, expressing a broader public expectation that justice should be delivered without undue delay. This impatience also reflected a lack of confidence in the existing institutions and structures of law enforcement, and an expectation that the newly elected government would set things right as it moved forward in its term.
[1] For more information, please see https://www.sundaytimes.lk/230423/news/galle-face-attack-on-aragalaya-protestors-senior-dig-to-be-named-as-suspect-517346.html and https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/breaking_news/Deshabandu-is-the-main-person-responsible-for-May-9th-mayhem-Ex-BASL-chief/108-243701.
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankas-police-chief-surrenders-after-weeks-of-evading-arrest/article69348527.ece and https://www.cpalanka.org/centre-for-policy-alternatives-cpa-challenges-constitutionality-of-the-appointment-of-inspector-general-of-the-sri-lanka-police-igp/.
[3] See TMA Vol.13, #46.
[4] The MPA team monitored Facebook profiles, TikTok handles and YouTube channels using Junkipedia for the keywords Deshabandu, lawyers, arrest and police in Sinhala from March 17 to 22, 2025.
[5] For more information, please see https://web.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1176734714462917&id=100063791985961&_rdc=1&_rdr and https://www.newswire.lk/2025/03/01/former-igp-deshabandu-tennakoon-missing-amid-court-ordered-arrest/.
To view this week’s news summaries, please click here.
To view this week’s social media data, please click here.
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