The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is being detained and questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been named as the third suspect in the investigation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The CID told Colombo Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today (05 Mar) that Sallay was arrested on 25 February 2026 in connection with the incident, and that he is currently being detained and questioned for 90 days under permission granted for the investigation.
The CID notified the court of this by filing a motion.
According to media reports, the Magistrate inquired whether there was evidence to name Sallay as a suspect, and the CID informed the court that evidence had been uncovered according to investigations carried out so far.
The CID further requested the court to order the suspect to be monitored, as he is being held under detention orders.
In relation to this incident, a former Eastern Province Police Superintendent and two others have already been named as suspects.
The CID also informed the court that the investigation is being conducted regarding sensitive information connected to the killing of two police officers in Vavunativu and the Sainthamaruthu bomb explosion that occurred prior to the Easter Sunday attack series.
A further report related to the ongoing investigation was also presented to the court. (Newswire)