Prosecution Alleges Suresh Salley Orchestrated Easter Attacks, Linked to Journalist Abductions and Vavunathivu Murders

Former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Salley, who is currently detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, was produced before the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) this morning, April 29.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks are facing obstacles due to alleged intimidation of witnesses by Army intelligence personnel. Peiris further alleged that former Army intelligence chief Suresh Salley maintained an “unlawful strike force”, which was purportedly responsible for protecting politicians and harassing a large number of individuals, including journalists, since 2015. The Additional Solicitor General also claimed that both Zahran and Gnanasara were maintained by Army intelligence, and that Salley was behind these plans. He also noted that Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced his presidential candidacy days after the Easter attacks, linking it to the alleged broader conspiracy.

Former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Salley was produced before the Fort Magistrate's Court under tight security and ordered to be further detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until May 20. The Magistrate also granted Salley a month's time to reconsider his request to make a statement before the court.