The hearing on the May 09 attacks at the Galle Face in Colombo has revealed an 11-minute conversation that had taken place between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Representing the affected protesters, President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne said SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon had disregarded instructions provided by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“SDIG Tennakoon had failed to take action despite the IGP having informed him a day before on the possible attack and necessary measures to be taken,” he pointed out, according to Ada Derana.
Stating that the SDIG is attempting to sacrifice the IGP under the current circumstances, Sarath Jayamanne said that even if instructions against the law were given, the SDIG is not bound to adhere to it.
“We need to know who is being protected by SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon,” he added.
SDIG Tennakoon’s Attorney, PC Nalin Laddawahetti informed the court that his client had taken all necessary measures to prevent the attacks at Galle Face.
“SDIG Tennakoon had been at his office when the incident had occurred. Upon being informed of an incident near the Temple Trees, he had left for the location,” Nalin Laddawahetti said.
He said SDIG Tennakoon had been briefed on the instructions that had been given by the IGP to Senior Police Inspector Nishantha Chandrasekara to prevent the incident.
Stating that the IGP had thereafter also briefed SDIG Tennakoon on the necessary measures that need to be taken, Nalin Laddawahetti said, however, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Secretary had also contacted SDIG Tennakoon at this time.
“As a confusion had occurred due to the various instructions being provided, SDIG Tennakoon had obtained the advise of the senior-most political figure on the measures to be taken over the May 09 incident,” he said.
Nalin Laddawahetti revealed that a telephone conversation between the President and SDIG Tennakoon had lasted for nearly 11 minutes.
Only following this conversation SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon had taken action to fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse the attackers, he added.
(NewsWire)