• Sallay demands removal of CID Director, seeks change in detention location 
• Opposition Satyagraha continues at Fort
• UNP calls for Parliament team to examine Sallay’s condition
• Prisoners rights group calls for probe into veracity of Sallay’s claims 
• Govt says CID treatment neither special nor harsher 
• HRCSL summons CID, has visited CID and NHSL  

Police yesterday (9) clarified the authority to transfer any investigation to or from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) rests solely with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), amid ongoing public scrutiny over the handling of the probe into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Responding to queries from The Daily Morning, the Office of the Police Media Spokesperson stated the investigation concerning the arrest and detention of former State Intelligence Service Director, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, is currently being conducted by the CID. Police further explained that both the removal of a case from its existing investigative unit and its assignment to the CID require separate orders issued under the authority of the IGP.

The Police also noted that if Sallay has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) – which he has done through his wife in relation to the conditions of his custody, detention and treatment - it is the responsibility of the Commission to determine whether any of his HR have been violated. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the IGP and also referred to the HRCSL, which is currently reviewing the situation. Police further stated that such proceedings do not prevent the law enforcement authorities from continuing their own investigations. They added that the CID is also conducting inquiries related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and matters connected to the said individual's detention. The Police said that various political opinions and views had been expressed regarding the implementation of the detention order (DO) concerning Sallay. They added that already, an official media statement has however been issued on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Sallay, who is receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo, is continuing the hunger strike, according to reports. Relatives and his legal counsel were allowed to meet him on Monday (8), during which he reportedly stated that he will continue his hunger strike, sources said. Sallay is said to be protesting the ongoing investigations against him, calling for the removal of the CID Director and a change in his place of detention. Sallay remains hospitalised and has not been consuming food or water, according to his wife, Manori Sallay. Speaking to journalists after visiting the Hospital on Monday, Sallay said that her husband has not been consuming food or water and remains in a serious condition. She said that he is being closely monitored by doctors and is being administered saline. “He is still not eating or drinking anything. He is in a critical condition. The doctors are monitoring him. He is on saline. He has not ended his fast,” she said. Family members also confirmed that Sallay remains under medical care at the Hospital. 

Elsewhere, a Satyagraha protest organised by several Opposition political parties continues opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station, protesting what they describe as the inhumane treatment of Sallay. Political representatives and supporters were present at the protest site throughout the night, according to reports. The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Party Leader, attorney (AAL) Udaya Gammanpila said that the protest would continue regardless of any obstacles. The Sarvajana Balaya (SB) Party Deputy Chairperson, Anuradha Yahampath said that the Satyagraha would continue until Sallay is released, describing the situation as an injustice against war veterans. The SB has alleged that defamatory content is being circulated on social media targeting the family members of Sallay. Speaking at the said Satyagraha campaign, the Deputy SB Chairperson, Dr. Channa Jayasumana called for Sallay’s release, claiming that he is being unlawfully detained. He also criticised what he described as “social media harassment” directed at the wife of Sallay and his children, accusing Government-linked actors and political activists of being responsible. The Satyagraha campaign was launched on Monday morning, with participation from Buddhist monks and the representatives of several Opposition political parties, protesting against the alleged mistreatment of Sallay and his continued detention under a DO. Tensions were later reported when Police removed a temporary stage set up for the protest. Representatives from multiple Opposition parties, including the SB, the National Freedom Front, the PHU, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), attended the demonstration. Also, the United National Party (UNP) of the Opposition has raised concerns over the treatment of Sallay, calling on the authorities to ensure that all actions taken against him comply with the Constitution and international human rights (HR) obligations. In a statement, the UNP noted that Sallay is entitled to the protections guaranteed under the Sri Lankan law and international conventions. The UNP said that the focus should be on the manner in which an arrested individual is treated rather than on the allegations being investigated, adding that any form of torture or inhumane treatment would be contrary to Article 11 of the Constitution and international HR standards. The UNP also referred to provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 (as amended) (PTA), which require safeguards against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees. The statement further called for a Parliamentary team to be allowed to examine Sallay’s condition, noting that the matter has attracted international attention. The UNP warned that any erosion of constitutional protections could have wider implications and said that it would continue to closely monitor developments surrounding the case. Furthermore, the ‘Jaya Dharani Lanka’ organisation conducted a related protest near the Parliament yesterday. The SLPP’s National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile alleged that the Government is imprisoning Intelligence officers who contributed to ending the war while protecting those who allegedly concealed information related to the Easter Sunday attacks. Addressing a public meeting in Kekirawa on 7 June, he claimed that officers who played a key role in defeating terrorism and safeguarding national security are being targeted, while those responsible for hiding Intelligence reports and files linked to the Easter attacks remained protected. Referring to the country's civil war, he said that thousands of soldiers and civilians had sacrificed their lives to defeat terrorism. He claimed that the Government is now failing to protect the dignity of war heroes and was instead acting according to the interests of the Tamil diaspora. He also alleged that the weakening of Intelligence services posed a threat to national security. Drawing parallels with the previous United National Front administration, he claimed that the arrest of Intelligence officers could weaken national security mechanisms and create conditions for extremist elements to re-emerge. He further alleged that the Government is concealing files and Intelligence reports related to the Easter Sunday attacks while taking action against officers who had contributed to ending the war and strengthening the country's Intelligence services. He questioned whose interests that the Government was serving through such actions and called for greater accountability regarding national security and the Easter Sunday investigations.

However, the National People’s Power Government Parliamentarian Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said that the matter is before courts and urged the general public not to be alarmed, adding that the Judiciary will resolve the issue appropriately. Cabinet of Ministers Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, fielding questions from the media, said that the CID treatment of Sallay is similar to the treatment that it would give any other individual who is being questioned under detention. “If need be, all concerned parties could question all those who have faced similar questioning by the CID. Sallay is neither being afforded any special treatment nor harsher treatment than those who have faced CID interrogation before him,” he said. Speaking further, Dr. Jayatissa noted that Sallay was taken in for questioning under the PTA which the Government is looking to amend or repeal. 

Also, CID officers have been instructed to appear before the HRCSL this week to provide information regarding ongoing investigations related to Sallay. Human Rights Commissioner, AAL Nimal G. Punchihewa said that the HRCSL has already initiated an inquiry into the matter based on a complaint filed by relatives of Sallay. He said that CID officers had previously been instructed to appear before the Commission last week but were unable to do so and requested another date. Accordingly, officers involved in the investigation, including the officer-in-charge, have now been directed to appear before the HRCSL during the course of this week. The HRCSL has also conducted additional inquiries in connection with the matter, including visits to the CID and the Hospital, where statements were recorded, he added.

Moreover, the Committee for Protecting the Rights for Prisoners organisation is urging the Government to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged accusations by Sallay regarding the alleged inhumane treatment he experienced while in custody under the PTA. Speaking to The Daily Morning, the President of the Association, AAL Senaka Perera said that even though there is no assurance as to whether the accusations are true or not, an investigation should be launched regarding the claims and necessary actions taken if the allegations are proven. “We are not sure whether these allegations are true or not, but, we don’t have enough reasons to totally reject these allegations either. Hence, to prove the transparency of the Government, an investigation is needed,” he said. He also added that the PTA should be repealed as soon as possible. “Under the PTA, the Executive is given the power to detain a person for six months. There is a long history of various parties urging the Government to abolish the PTA, but still, it has not been done. We are urging the Government that the PTA should be repealed,” he said. “It is as a prisoner that we consider Salley at this moment, and we will be speaking up for his rights,” he added.

Sallay was arrested by the CID on 25 February on charges related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He was subsequently held under a DO in CID custody. It has been alleged that CID officers treated him in an inhumane and cruel manner, prompting him to begin a “fast unto death” by refusing food and water, according to Gammanpila who made the disclosure. Later, his wife, the son, and the brother, who visited him over the weekend, also confirmed that Sallay was on a hunger strike. Subsequently, CID officers transferred Sallay to the Hospital at around 8.30 p.m. on 7 June after he reportedly fell ill while continuing to refuse food and water.