COLOMBO: Sri Lanka`s police issued a public appeal on Thursday to locate their fugitive chief, who has been missing since a court order for his arrest following the death of an officer.

Spokesman Buddhika Manatunga said they had been unable to find Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon despite deploying several specialunits.

`We urge the public to provide any information about hiswhereabouts,`ManatungatoldreportersinColombo.

`We also warn that anyone harbouring the IGP will be prosecuted for obstructing justice.

Manatunga admitted that the failure to locate their own chief had `undermined public confidence in the police force`.

A foreign travel ban has been imposed in case he tries to flee the island. `It is a serious matter, and we are working with more vigour to arrest him,` he added. `As someone who is aware of the law, the IGP should have complied with the court order and surrendered,` Manatunga said. A magistrate ordered Tennakoon`s arrest last week following allegations that he had authorised an illegal raid on a hotel in 2023.

Tennakoon had ordered a unit from Colombo to search for illegal drugs at the hotel in the southern coastal resort town of Weligama, about 150 kilometres (95 miles) from the capital.-AFP