Attorney General Says Charges Expected Against Deshabandhu Tennakoon Within a Month

The Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka has informed the High Court that a charge sheet is expected to be filed within a month against former IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon over the attack on the “Kota Go Gama” protest at Galle Face Green in 2022.

The disclosure was made during the hearing of an appeal filed against a ruling by the Court of Appeal, which had invalidated a letter sent by the Attorney General to the Criminal Investigation Department naming Deshabandhu Tennakoon as a suspect in the incident.

The petition was heard before a three-judge bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Asala Wengappuli, and Sampath Wijeratne.

Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the court that steps are currently underway to file the charge sheet against Tennakoon.

Justice Nawaz, who headed the bench, questioned how long the process would take. In response, the Deputy Solicitor General stated that the charge sheet would be filed within one month.

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for Deshabandhu Tennakoon, argued that if charges are formally filed against his client, there would be no purpose in continuing the current proceedings.

After considering submissions from all parties, the bench ordered that the petition be taken up again on September 2.