Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Monday rejected claims that detained former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley is in a critical condition, saying he is stable at the National Hospital and receiving full medical care under detention orders.
“There is absolutely no such critical condition at present. He is receiving treatment at the National Hospital in accordance with the law under detention orders. All specialist doctors are examining him. He is being provided with the necessary nutrition,” Jayatissa told reporters in remarks carried by NewsFirst. “No serious or critical condition has been reported by doctors. I believe further steps can be taken based on the medical reports.”
The minister, who also holds the Mass Media portfolio, was responding to a political group’s claim that the government and President could be held responsible should any adverse outcome occur. He dismissed family members’ reports that Salley was experiencing swelling in his limbs, saying no such medical condition had been reported to him. The Criminal Investigation Department had also addressed dental, skin and nutrition complaints both before and after Salley’s hospitalisation, Jayatissa said, with CID officers working alongside health authorities on each request. The minister’s remarks came hours after the CID rejected a request for daily lawyer access, citing court orders already permitting Wednesday consultations.
Speaking separately in Colombo, former Minister Sarath Weerasekera defended Salley’s continuing hunger strike as a “patriotic stand”, Newswire reported. Weerasekera said the former intelligence chief was refusing to disclose intelligence to “unwanted persons” even at the risk of death and that his wife and son, who had visited him, had reported him to be in a deteriorating condition and unable to speak. Weerasekera, who said he had not visited Salley personally, urged him and his family to take food so that legal action could be pursued against those “working against” him.
Salley is detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks investigation, with the Attorney General’s Department earlier alleging he was a key driving force behind the 2019 bombings. The Court of Appeal writ challenging his PTA detention is listed for resumption on July 10.
Sources: Salley Stable in Hospital, Govt Rejects Serious Illness Claim — NewsFirst, June 15; Sarath Weerasekera defends Suresh Sallay’s hunger strike as patriotic stand — Newswire, June 15.
