SC allows naming of former President in IGP appointment petition
The Supreme Court has granted permission to name former President Ranil Wickremesinghe as a respondent in a petition challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The petition, filed by the Young Journalists’ Association, argues that Tennakoon’s appointment is unconstitutional.
The petition was heard by a bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Janak de Silva.
During the hearing, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, representing the petitioners, argued that since Wickremesinghe is no longer the President and does not enjoy immunity, he can be named as a respondent in the case.
The court accepted this argument and granted permission to name Wickremesinghe as a respondent.
Previously, the Supreme Court had reviewed this petition along with seven related petitions.
On July 24, the court issued an interim order preventing Tennakoon from functioning as IGP until the conclusion of the petition hearings.