Suresh Sallay’s lawyer seeks emergency hospitalization, warns of legal action
By C. Subhadarshani
COLOMBO – Lawyers representing retired Major General Duan Suresh Sallay, the former head of Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence Service currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), have urged authorities to provide immediate medical intervention, claiming his physical and mental condition has deteriorated to a critical level.
In an urgent letter dated June 7, 2026, to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director, Senior Deputy Inspector General Shanie Abeysekera, Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena said Sallay’s health had worsened significantly during his period of detention and warned of potential legal consequences if immediate medical care was not provided.
According to the letter, Sallay’s wife, son and brother visited him on Sunday (7) and observed that he was unable to stand or walk without assistance from two officers. The lawyer further claimed that Sallay had refused medication, saline treatment, food and water, and had informed family members that they should arrange to donate his eyes after his death.
The letter also stated that Saleh had requested legal assistance to prepare his last will, with counsel arguing that prolonged detention had severely affected both his physical and mental wellbeing.
“The government bears full responsibility for the life and health of any individual held in its custody,” Siriwardena said in the letter, adding that failure to provide treatment despite the alleged medical emergency could expose officials to civil and criminal liability.
The lawyer called on the CID to immediately transfer Sallay to a suitable government or private hospital for emergency treatment, arrange an examination by an independent medical team including mental health specialists, and allow family members and legal representatives access to him.
He also requested a written report detailing the measures taken regarding Sallay’s medical condition and personal safety.
The latest development comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over Sallay’s detention and treatment while in CID custody. His lawyers have previously alleged that he has suffered severe psychological distress during detention, while the CID has rejected those claims and sought an independent medical assessment of his condition.
A ruling by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on competing applications relating to Sallay’s health and detention conditions is scheduled to be delivered on June 10.
-ENCL
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