• Warns of impact on military morale

Sarwajana Balaya Leader MP Dilith Jayaweera yesterday condemned the arrest and 72-hour detention of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Chief (Retired) Major General Suresh Sallay, alleging that the move appeared politically motivated.

In a statement posted on X, Jayaweera said he “strongly condemned” the arrest and detention carried out under the pretext of questioning Sallay in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Describing Sallay as a “distinguished and highly capable military officer,” Jayaweera said the retired Major General had contributed significantly to ending three decades of terrorism in Sri Lanka.

“To subject such an officer to what appears to be politically motivated action raises serious concerns about fairness, intent, and the misuse of State power,” he said.

Jayaweera further warned that if the move was driven by “narrow political objectives rather than credible evidence,” it would undermine justice and “gravely damage the morale of our armed forces.”

“The men and women who risk their lives to protect this Nation must not become targets of political expediency,” he added.

He also stressed that justice must be “transparent, impartial, and free from manipulation,” cautioning that “anything less will leave a lasting stain on those responsible.”

Major General Sallay was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department in relation to the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Officials have not yet publicly responded to Jayaweera’s remarks.