Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other police officers have been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay a compensation of Rs. 2 million from their personal funds to an individual for violating his fundamental rights while he was detained at the Mirihana Police Station.
The Supreme Court has determined that the four police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, were responsible for violating the fundamental rights of petitioner W. Ranjith Sumangala through his unlawful arrest, detention, and torture at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011. Deshabandu Tennakoon was overseeing the station at that time.
Additionally, Ajith Wanasundera, a retired Sergeant Major of the Army who was involved in the matter, has also been held accountable and ordered to pay compensation.
The State has been directed to pay a compensation of Rs. 100,000 to the petitioner.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has instructed relevant authorities, including the National Police Commission, to take disciplinary action against all police officers involved, including Deshabandu Tennakoon.
The petitioner was represented by Senior Counsel Viran Corea, along with counsel Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Vidanagamage. Senior State Counsel Induni Punchihewa appeared on behalf of Tennakoon and the Attorney General.
The judgment was delivered by Justice S. Thurairaja, with Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando concurring.
