Former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Salley, currently held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks investigation, is facing a severe health crisis. His lawyers informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court on June 3rd that Salley is suffering from deep depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with medical reports confirming these conditions. They warned of a risk of self-harm due to intense psychological pressure, and the judicial medical officer's report also mentioned allegations of torture.
Salley's health took a critical turn when he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital on June 7th due to dehydration and deteriorating health, a direct result of an ongoing hunger strike. He reportedly began the fast, abstaining from liquids, in protest against alleged torture by the CID while in custody. Despite his hospitalization, Salley has not abandoned his fast, leading to further health complications. By June 13th, his hunger strike had entered its sixth day, with family members reporting his health had deteriorated to a dangerous level, suffering from a severe fever and being physically debilitated, posing a life-threatening risk. Hospital authorities have resorted to providing him with food via tubes due to his continued refusal to eat.
In response to the escalating situation, the Attorney General requested the Director General of Health Services to order Salley to appear before a specialist psychiatric panel for a report. On June 10th, the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court appointed a special medical board of five members, including specialist judicial medical officers and psychiatrists, to investigate the allegations of torture during his CID custody. This examination is to be conducted at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, as a previously submitted medical report was deemed incomplete.
Legal and family efforts to support Salley have intensified. A writ of habeas corpus has been filed in the Court of Appeal, seeking to quash his detention order. Salley's wife, Manori Sallay, and his lawyer, Asitha Siriwardena, formally requested daily access to him from CID Director Shani Abeysekera. However, the CID has refused daily access for his lawyer, limiting visits to once a week, a decision communicated in writing to Manori Sallay. This refusal came after a court ruling had already declined to grant such daily access. Manori Sallay has also sent multiple letters to the CID Director and Deputy Inspector General of Police Shani Abeysekera, requesting permission for herself, their daughter, and son to visit him, citing deep concern over his physical and mental well-being. Family members, who visited him on June 12th, described him as exhausted and pale, facing severe clinical difficulties.
The gravity of Salley's condition has drawn wider attention. The Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake after Salley's wife appealed for assistance to the Asgiri Chapter. Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalin Jayatissa has denied any illegal methods or torture against Salley.