The wife of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, Mrs. S.B.M.S.B. Sallay, has raised serious concerns over the circumstances of her husband’s detention by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
In a letter addressed to the CID Director, Mrs. Sallay highlighted restrictions placed on family visits and lawyer consultations, as well as the refusal to allow food from home.
She noted that despite applying for a Police Clearance Certificate for their son to visit his father, the document has not yet been issued, preventing him from meeting the detainee.
Her husband’s legal team, President’s Counsel Anujaya Premarathne and Attorneys-at-Law Rasika Balasuriya, Asith Siriwardena, and Bhanuka R. Malaviarachchi, have filed a motion before the Fort Magistrate’s Court seeking relief, including access to the full case record, expanded family visitation, permission to provide food, and safeguards for Sallay’s well-being.
During proceedings, the Magistrate reportedly observed that the court had not been officially informed of Sallay’s detention. A CID officer stated that Sallay had not yet been named as a suspect in any case, though authorities were considering under which case he might be listed.
Mrs. Sallay stressed that this raised procedural concerns, as the PTA requires a certified copy of any Detention Order to be submitted to court within 48 hours.
She also expressed alarm over a lawyer consultation on March 4, which was conducted in the presence of CID officers who observed and took notes, with one officer placing a mobile phone on the table in a manner suggesting the conversation was being recorded. Lawyers objected, citing violations of attorney–client confidentiality, after which the device was removed.
Mrs. Sallay further pointed to conflicting information regarding the case under which her husband is being detained. While CID officers indicated Case No. 35882/24 at Fort Magistrate’s Court, earlier statements suggested he had not yet been named as a suspect.
She has requested written clarification from the CID on the specific case, advance notice of court production dates, and assurances of her husband’s legal rights and well-being.
In the meantime, the CID formally named Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay the third suspect in Case No. 35882/24 related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks before the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday. (Newswire)