In a powerful denouncement, Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has expressed vehement opposition to the appointment of Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). The Archbishop, a prominent figure in Sri Lanka, cited allegations against Tennakoon related to security lapses leading up to the Easter Sunday attacks, calling the appointment an affront to the victims.

The condemnation was conveyed through the Cardinal's spokesman, Fr. Cyril Gamini, who conveyed the Archbishop's strong disapproval of President Ranil Wickremesinghe for making the controversial appointment. Fr. Gamini quoted the Archbishop, stating, "Forget about the law and discipline in the country. I am not sure whether there will be any order and discipline left in the police after this appointment."

The Archbishop's concerns are rooted in the allegations surrounding Tennakoon's role in security lapses leading to the Easter Sunday attacks, a tragic event that shook the nation in 2019. The appointment of Tennakoon to the position of Acting IGP has ignited a wave of criticism, particularly from those who question the wisdom of placing an individual with such allegations in a position of significant responsibility.

Fr. Gamini further conveyed the Archbishop's sentiment that this appointment reflects poorly on the commitment to justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. The Archbishop perceives the move as a disregard for the feelings and concerns of those affected by the tragic events, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice in addressing the security lapses.