Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, has decided to end the hunger strike he launched while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
According to reports, Sallay ended the hunger strike on the advice of his lawyer.
However, after his health deteriorated during the fast, he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Sallay’s family members and legal representatives have alleged that he was subjected to inhumane treatment while in CID custody. They claim that he was treated in a degrading and humiliating manner. His wife, Manori Sallay, described the detention cell as “hell” and wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting an immediate investigation into the conditions of his detention.
According to his family and lawyers, the alleged treatment he received in custody contributed to the deterioration of his health during the hunger strike.
Sallay also called for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), under which he was detained, and urged an end to prolonged detentions carried out under the law. Among the demands associated with his hunger strike was the removal of CID Director Shani Abeysekara from his position.
Sallay has been in CID custody since February in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. He has consistently denied all allegations made against him.
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