Swing of the Badge: The Fall of a 'Master Detective'

Once Colombo’s self-styled corruption buster, former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Priyantha Jayakody now finds himself tangled in a plot that’s more bizarre than any case he ever cracked — and this time, he’s the one under investigation.

Jayakody, known for loudly questioning policing practices and exposing internal rot, often played the role of the people's protector. He painted himself as the ultimate insider-turned-whistleblower, a detective for the downtrodden. After a period of self-imposed exile, he returned to the spotlight, once again speaking up — or rather, stirring things up.

But now, the tables have turned dramatically.

Police have confirmed that Jayakody has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a false complaint. He had claimed that underworld figure “Kehel Baddara Padme” had issued death threats against him — a claim that raised eyebrows from the start.

Investigators now believe the retired DIG may have staged the whole thing himself, allegedly arranging the threatening calls that he then reported to authorities. From protector to provocateur? It’s the kind of twist he might have enjoyed investigating — if he weren’t at the center of it.

Adding to the drama, following his arrest, Jayakody was admitted to Ragama Hospital due to an undisclosed medical condition. While still receiving treatment, he remains under CID custody.

A man who once claimed to fear for his life is now accused of faking the fear. Was it an elaborate ruse? A cry for relevance? Or a miscalculated move from someone too used to controlling the narrative?

The case continues to unfold, but one thing’s clear: the hunter has become the hunted.