COLOMBO – Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), retired Major General Suresh Sallay, was admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the Colombo National Hospital on Sunday (7), hospital sources said.
Sallay, who is currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, was transferred to the hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released details regarding his condition.
The hospitalization comes hours after Sallay’s wife, Manori Sallay, wrote to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya, requesting an independent criminal investigation into what she described as inhumane treatment of her husband while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In her letter, she alleged that Sallay’s physical and mental health had deteriorated significantly during his detention and claimed he had begun a hunger strike in protest.
According to the letter, Sallay had become severely weakened, was suffering from dehydration and had refused food, water and medication. She further alleged that despite recommendations by government medical officers, he had not received adequate medical care or nutrition.
Manori Sallay also claimed that her husband was being held in a cramped cell without basic facilities, denied access to toilet facilities during certain hours, and subjected to degrading treatment while in custody. She alleged that many of these incidents were captured on CCTV cameras within the detention facility.
The letter called for the immediate preservation of CCTV footage, urgent medical intervention, an independent investigation into the alleged treatment, and the recording of statements from other detainees who may have witnessed the incidents.
The allegations emerge amid ongoing legal proceedings over Sallay’s detention conditions and health. His legal team has repeatedly raised concerns before court regarding his wellbeing, while the CID has denied allegations of mistreatment and previously sought an independent medical assessment of his condition.
A ruling by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on applications relating to Sallay’s health and detention conditions is scheduled to be delivered on June 10.
-ENCL
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