Sallay remains in hospital as court orders progress report on Easter attacks probe
COLOMBO – Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay remains hospitalized at the Colombo National Hospital, where he is receiving intravenous treatment and could be discharged once the current treatment is completed, a senior hospital official told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (22).
Sallay, who was arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) over allegations of aiding and abetting and conspiring in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, appeared in the proceedings through his counsel.
Colombo National Hospital Deputy Director Sampath Indika Kumara appeared before the court on behalf of the hospital director, who had been summoned to explain the delay in submitting medical reports on Sallay’s condition.
The court was informed that a nine-member medical team had prepared a report on Sallay’s condition and submitted it to the Magistrate.
According to the submissions, Sallay had undergone treatment for an enlarged heart and had been fitted with a medical device costing approximately Rs 4 million. He was also receiving dental treatment.
Sallay had previously been treated in the intensive care unit of the hospital’s cardiology section but was transferred to a general ward on Monday (21). He is currently receiving treatment in Ward 42 under the protection of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Attorney General, told the court that a medical board reviewing Sallay’s condition was expected to make a decision by September 28.
Peiris said there was no intention to subject Sallay to ill-treatment or interrupt his medical treatment, adding that the CID was prepared to provide any facilities required.
The court was also informed that Sallay had not provided investigators with the passwords to his laptop and mobile phone. The prosecution said he had continued to avoid questioning and called for cooperation from the medical authorities in facilitating the investigation.
President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for Sallay, said he would make further submissions after reviewing the medical reports. He argued that Sallay, as an intelligence officer, changed his passwords daily and could therefore have difficulty recalling a password used a week earlier.
Peiris disputed the explanation, telling the court that CID officers had requested the password when Sallay was arrested but that he had refused to provide it. He said Sallay had initially claimed that the laptop belonged to his daughter but had continued to withhold the password.
The Magistrate also asked the hospital deputy director how a patient with a similar medical condition would ordinarily be treated.
Kumara said he had instructed hospital staff to provide Sallay with the same treatment given to other patients.
After considering the submissions, the Magistrate postponed the case until October 21 and ordered that a progress report on the investigation be submitted to court.
-ENCL
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