A protest organised by several opposition parties over the alleged inhumane and cruel treatment of detained former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay commenced on Monday near the Fort Railway Station premises in Colombo, Ada Derana reported.
A large number of representatives from opposition political parties have reportedly joined the demonstration. Ada Derana did not name the participating parties or organisers in its initial dispatch, filed shortly after 11:30am Sri Lanka time.
The mobilisation follows Sunday’s announcement of an indefinite Colombo Fort protest by opposition parties in support of the former intelligence chief. Sallay was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on February 25 over allegations linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings investigation, and remains in CID detention under court order.
The protest’s commencement comes a day after Sallay was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit on what his family is calling a “fast unto death” hunger strike against his PTA detention. Police separately reinforced security at the hospital following his admission. His lawyers have written to CID Director Shani Abeysekara seeking an independent medical board to examine him.
Former MP Udaya Gammanpila opened the public phase of the dispute at a Saturday media briefing claiming Sallay had refused food, water and medication; Sallay’s wife and son later filed a written complaint to the Inspector General of Police calling for a criminal investigation into ten alleged offences in custody including torture and denial of medical care. Police have rejected the allegations of mistreatment.
Sallay’s psychiatric custody is also before the Colombo Fort Magistrate, with judgment on a defence request for a medical board reserved to June 10. His Court of Appeal writ petition challenging the PTA detention remains pending.
