• Wife appeals for intervention as former SIS chief continues hunger strike

A lawyer representing former State Intelligence Service (sis) chief Suresh Salley has requested the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrange urgent medical treatment for his client, claiming that his physical and mental condition has seriously deteriorated.

In a letter addressed to CID Director Shani Abeysekara, Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena said that Salley required immediate treatment by independent and qualified medical professionals and should be transferred to a suitable hospital for a full medical assessment.

The lawyer also said that Salley had requested that he be allowed to meet his legal counsel to prepare his last will and other related legal documents.

He added that Salley's statements and present condition indicate that his physical and mental health has significantly declined and that he may no longer be in a position to make rational decisions concerning his wellbeing and safety. The lawyer further claimed that the conditions under which Salley is being detained pose a serious and immediate threat to his life.

He warned that failure to act on the requests could become the basis for future legal proceedings, including criminal, constitutional or international action.

Meanwhile, Salley's wife, Manori Salley, appealed for public support after visiting him at the CID yesterday (7) along with their son and his brother.

She said that her husband, who is on a hunger strike, had refused repeated requests from the family to end his protest.

Claiming that Salley was innocent, she alleged that he was being used as a scapegoat and subjected to inhumane treatment despite being only a suspect.

She also appealed to the CID to admit him to hospital before his condition worsens. "My husband dedicated 38 years of his life to serving the country. I only ask that his life be saved and that he be treated humanely," she said.

She has also written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya requesting an immediate independent investigation into allegations that her husband was subjected to inhuman treatment while in the custody of the CID.

Salley is currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act over investigations linked to the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Separately, Police issued a statement rejecting allegations made by former Parliamentarian and attorney Udaya Gammanpila that Salley had been assaulted or subjected to inhumane treatment in CID custody.

Police stated Salley had been treated in the same manner as any other suspect and that there had been neither special treatment nor any form of neglect.