The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal seeking the dismissal of a petition submitted by former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay.
Sallay’s petition challenges the legality of his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Cardinal Ranjith, who has for years pressed for a full accounting of the bombings that killed more than 260 people, is seeking to be heard as an intervenient party opposing Sallay’s plea.
Separately, a senior Buddhist monk has also moved to join the case. Ven. Rajakeeya Panditha Dapane Sri Mahinda Thero — President of the Pasyodunrata Bauddha Sammelanaya and Principal of the historic Kande Vihara Maha Pirivena — has filed an application before the Court of Appeal seeking to be added as an intervening petitioner in Sallay’s writ application.
The twin interventions add further weight to a case that has become a focal point in the long-running effort to establish accountability for the Easter attacks. Sallay, a key figure in the security establishment at the time, has contested his detention through the courts, while religious leaders across communities continue to demand that the full circumstances behind the bombings be brought to light.
The Court of Appeal is expected to consider the intervening petitions as part of the ongoing proceedings on Sallay’s challenge.
