Sri Lanka Police have rejected allegations made by former MP Udaya Gammanpila regarding the treatment of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director and retired Major General Suresh Sallay while in custody.
Earlier on Saturday, Gammanpila told a media briefing that Sallay’s family had informed him the former intelligence chief was being subjected to inhumane treatment while being held under detention orders by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Gammanpila alleged that Sallay had been served a small portion of rice and radish curry on a sheet of newspaper placed on the floor, and that the meal had fallen to the ground when he attempted to pick it up. He further claimed that the incident had left Sallay emotionally distressed and prompted him to launch a hunger strike, refusing food, water and medication.
Responding to the allegations, Police said claims that Sallay had been assaulted or subjected to inhumane treatment were false.
Police stated that Sallay was being treated in the same manner as any other suspect in custody and had not been given either special treatment or been subjected to any form of neglect.
The statement further noted that the matters raised are currently before court and stressed that making public statements outside judicial proceedings based on unverified claims was inappropriate.
Police also maintained that the allegations made by Gammanpila were not based on facts and reiterated that no inhumane treatment had been inflicted on the former intelligence chief. (Newswire)
