The operation room commanding the police and the army to disperse the people who came to Colombo today to force the President to leave was established in the Presidential Palace compound.
A minister who is a revolutionary figure who recently took office, the Defense Secretary, the Inspector General of Police, and the commanders of the three armed forces were staying in that operation room. Apart from them, one of the notable officers there was the Western Senior DIG Deshbandu Tennakoon.
Even though the Inspector General of Police was there, he overpowered him and led the police by giving orders from there.
Deshabandu has continuously given orders to the police to use maximum force to stop the people from breaking the barriers and coming towards the President’s House. But in the end, even the police chiefs who were brought by him to Colombo to disperse the struggle did not follow his orders. It is in such a background that the people enter the presidential palace despite the obstacles.
When the people come, the group led by the relevant cabinet minister and the military leader flees and sneaks into the nearby Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The IGP went straight to his private residence. At least he didn’t even go to the official residence. The Defense Secretary went to Katunayake. The rest of the army chiefs were also dispersed without even ordering the army officers who were brought to suppress the protesters to retreat.
