The Colombo Fort Magistrate has directed the Director of the National Hospital in Colombo to submit a report on the current health of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, the former director of the State Intelligence Service, including whether he requires further inpatient treatment.
Ada Derana reported the order and said the court specifically asked whether Sallay needs further medical treatment. NewsFirst named the magistrate as Pasan Amarasena and reported that the direction was issued after the court considered a request made by State Counsel Oswald Perera, appearing for the Criminal Investigation Department.
That the request came from the CID’s own counsel is the significant detail. The department holding Sallay asked the court to establish whether he still needs hospital care — a question that bears directly on where he is held while the investigation continues.
Detention background
Sallay is being held under a 90-day detention order, the third obtained in connection with the investigation, NewsFirst reported. He was arrested by the CID on 25 February over the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, and the most recent 90-day order was issued on 25 August.
His health has been contested ground throughout the detention. He was hospitalised from CID custody in June, and his family, opposition politicians and the Human Rights Commission have raised his condition and his conditions of detention repeatedly. Separately, the police last week rejected as false a claim circulating about his detention.
Naming
Ada Derana renders the name “Sallay”; NewsFirst uses “Salley”. Both refer to the same person. This report follows the spelling used across our earlier coverage and by Ada Derana.
Not yet reported
Neither outlet said when the hospital report is due, when the case is next before the court, or where Sallay is currently being held — whether at the National Hospital or in CID custody. Neither reported any submission from Sallay’s own counsel at the hearing, and neither said what prompted the CID to seek the report now.
