Former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay has told his lawyer he refuses to return to the Criminal Investigation Department’s detention cell, describing the facility as “hell” and saying death would be preferable. He has reiterated that he will not end his ongoing hunger strike, Ada Derana reported.
Sallay is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital while in CID custody. He made the comments during a hospital visit by his personal lawyer on Wednesday. According to the report, Sallay also alleged that the CID Director holds personal animosity toward him.
During the same visit, the lawyer briefed Sallay on developments in the wider accountability cycle, including matters before the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the government’s position on a possible repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and a request made to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake by the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter. The lawyer urged him to end the hunger strike, but Sallay maintained his position.
Sallay began the hunger strike on June 6 over his treatment in custody after his February arrest under the PTA on conspiracy charges linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The Attorney General has described him as a key driving force behind the attacks. Sallay was admitted to the National Hospital on June 7 and the Human Rights Commission has been investigating cell conditions and treatment.
On the parallel HRC track, the CID has informed the Commission that video footage of a physical inspection allegedly carried out on March 8 is no longer available, stating that its storage system retains recordings only for the past month. The Commission is reportedly considering external technical assistance to attempt recovery of the missing footage. The CID has also been asked to submit additional reports on the ongoing investigation into Sallay by June 26.
