Sallay’s wife alleges torture, seeks president’s intervention
COLOMBO – The wife of detained former Director of the Government Intelligence Service and former Director of Military Intelligence, Major General (Ret.) Suresh Sallay has appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene in what she describes as the unlawful detention and mistreatment of her husband under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
In a detailed letter addressed to the President, she claimed that Sallay, who has been in custody for nearly 80 days, is being held without credible evidence to support allegations linking him to the Easter Sunday attacks.
Sallay was detained over accusations that he had prior knowledge of the attacks, failed to act on intelligence, assisted or encouraged the perpetrators by withholding information, and later concealed their identities. His wife rejected the allegations, asserting that no reliable evidence had been produced to substantiate the charges in court.
She further alleged that the investigation was neither impartial nor independent and claimed that it was driven by a personal vendetta involving the current head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Senior Deputy Inspector General Shani Abeysekera. She also alleged that investigators had sought to manufacture evidence and obtain false testimony against her husband.
The letter details what she described as harsh detention conditions, claiming Sallay is being held in a small cell, measuring approximately 6.5 feet by 4.4 feet, infested with rats and subjected to severe restrictions on movement, access to legal documents and communication with family members and lawyers. She alleged he was only allowed to use the toilet facilities between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and only allowed out of his cell for meetings with lawyers or family members or when being interrogated.
She further alleged that Sallay was forcibly stripped by officers shortly after his detention and subjected to degrading treatment, which she said constituted a violation of anti-torture laws. According to the letter, a complaint regarding the alleged incident was lodged with the Inspector General of Police on March 7, 2026, while a request was also made to preserve relevant CCTV footage. She claimed no response has been received to date.
The former intelligence chief’s wife also alleged that court-ordered forensic medical and psychiatric examinations were delayed despite judicial directives issued in April. She claimed the delays may have been intended to influence or undermine the findings of the assessments.
Expressing concern over her husband’s deteriorating physical and mental condition, she warned that his life was at risk and called for accountability should any harm come to him while in custody.
The letter also raised concerns over what she described as a conflict of interest, noting that the CID chief overseeing the investigation is also responsible for Sallay’s custody and welfare.
She urged the President to order Sallay’s immediate release or, alternatively, transfer him to judicial remand custody, initiate an independent investigation into the alleged mistreatment, ensure the protection of his legal rights and safety, and examine whether court-ordered medical assessments were deliberately delayed.
“My husband’s life and well-being are in imminent danger,” she said, appealing for urgent presidential intervention to ensure his protection and guarantee an independent and fair process.
-ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.