Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon due to make statement to the CID

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon is due to make a statement regarding the May 9 incidents at Galle Face to the Criminal Investigations Department today.

SDIG Tennankoon has already made a statement to the Human Rights of Commission of Sri Lanka explaining the circumstances in which the SLPP supporters had proceeded to attack the Galle Face protesters.

DIG for the Colombo Division A.G. Chandrakumara has also made a statement to the CID in which he has reportedly said that though arrangements had been made to divert the SLPP protesters and prevent them from going towards Galle Face, due to last-minute pressure from a senior officer the move was prevented. 

He said the organizers had been initially told to proceed towards Slave Island, instead of going towards Galle Face.

However, at the last minute, the officers on the ground received instructions not to block the SLPP supporters going towards Galle Face.

He had said, however, on the instructions from the Senior DIG the SLPP supporters were engaged with tear gas and confronted thereby minimizing attacks on the Galle Face protesters.