Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila today questioned whether Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris possesses the medical expertise to dismiss judicial medical reports issued by government doctors regarding the condition of detained former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay.
Addressing a media briefing, Gammanpila challenged the Police to take legal action against him if his claims regarding Sallay’s condition and alleged inhumane treatment while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were false.
He said the Police, in responding to the allegations, had effectively admitted that all detainees are treated in a similar manner while in custody.
“If that is the case, are all detainees fed meals placed on newspapers spread on the floor? Are all detainees forced to strip naked and subjected to invasive searches involving objects being inserted into their rectums?” Gammanpila asked.
The former parliamentarian further stated that Sallay’s wife, son and brother had publicly spoken about his condition after visiting him at the CID.
According to Gammanpila, Sallay’s wife appealed to the public to show their gratitude for the service her husband had rendered to the nation. He noted that Sallay has not been indicted by any court and remains only a suspect under investigation.
Gammanpila also referred to the involvement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, stating that further developments are expected in that regard.
He added that Sallay’s wife had called on members of the public to participate in a Satyagraha campaign scheduled to be held tomorrow in front of the Fort Railway Station, saying that the nation now has a duty to express its appreciation for her husband’s service.
