- Court orders to provide mobile, laptop passwords to CID
Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay yesterday (1 July) called off his hunger strike following repeated advice and representations made by his legal counsel.
Sallay was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 25 February over allegations linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and remains in custody under detention orders as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court has ordered Sallay to provide the passwords to his mobile phone and laptop to the CID to facilitate further investigations.
According to his attorney, Sallay was transferred to the Cardiology Unit of the Colombo National Hospital on 27 June after developing a sudden cardiac condition.
He had first been admitted to the Hospital on 7 June after falling ill while in CID custody. Initially receiving treatment at the Emergency Treatment Unit, his health reportedly deteriorated after he commenced a hunger strike, alleging inhumane treatment and torture while in custody.
Despite his worsening condition and medical treatment, Sallay had refused to end the hunger strike. During a subsequent visit by his personal lawyer at the Hospital, he reportedly said he was unwilling to return to the CID detention cell, describing the facility as "hell" and stating that death would be preferable.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has launched a separate investigation into allegations that Sallay was subjected to various forms of mistreatment while in CID custody.
HRCSL Commissioner attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa said statements had been recorded from CID officers as part of the ongoing inquiry. The complaint was lodged by Sallay's relatives, alleging that he had been mistreated while being held in CID custody.
According to reports, the Commission also carried out a special inspection of the CID detention cell where Sallay was being held. The inspection found that he had been detained in a standard CID cell, where several basic deficiencies, including inadequate ventilation, were observed.