The Criminal Investigation Department has declined a request to grant daily legal access to former State Intelligence Service chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who is currently being treated at the National Hospital in Colombo after commencing a hunger strike while in CID custody under a detention order issued under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The decision was communicated in writing by CID Director Shani Abeysekara to Sallay’s wife, Manori Sallay. She had asked the CID to allow her husband’s lawyer, Asitha Siriwardena, to meet him five days a week, Ada Derana reported on Sunday.
The CID Director said in response that Sallay is presently hospitalised and not involved in any ongoing investigative proceedings, and therefore there is no immediate necessity for him to receive legal consultations on a daily basis. The letter further noted that frequent meetings with legal counsel could deprive the detainee of the mental rest required for recovery and may have an adverse impact on his health condition.
The CID also pointed out that under an existing court order, Sallay’s lawyer is already permitted to meet him once a week, on Wednesdays. Accordingly, the CID has informed Manori Sallay that legal counsel access will continue to be restricted to Wednesdays, while daily visitation rights remain available to close family members — his wife, daughter and son. The request for additional weekday meetings has been rejected.
The rejection comes amid sustained legal and political pressure over Sallay’s treatment in custody. The family has reported his health deteriorating during the hospitalisation following his hunger strike, and the Human Rights Commission summoned the CID over the conduct of the investigation on June 9. Sarvajana Balaya formally wrote to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday urging intervention, joining an earlier letter from former parliamentarians seeking equal treatment, a Communist Party-led call for a PTA review and a separate appeal from the Asgiri Mahanayake. Sallay’s separate writ petition challenging his PTA detention is pending before the Court of Appeal.
