The mother of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay has appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to extend her son’s detention, while stressing that she is not seeking to halt any investigation against him.

In a letter sent to the Presidential Secretariat on 23 August, she said her son had served in the Army for 37 years, dedicating his youth and valuable years that could have been spent with his family to the country.

However, she stressed that she was not requesting that any investigation against her son be stopped. If there were allegations against him, she urged the authorities to investigate them, examine all available evidence and establish the truth.

At the same time, she appealed, as a mother, that her son’s detention not be extended further while investigations are ongoing.

She further emphasised that investigations should be based on evidence and that detention should not be used as a substitute for evidence.

Sallay’s mother also requested an opportunity to meet President Dissanayake, stating that she was seeking no special privilege, but only justice, humanity and a fair opportunity.

She further appealed to the President to allow her son to face the law freely.