Udaya Gammanpila has raised concerns over the conditions under which former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay is being held, following a visit to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in his capacity as Sallay’s lawyer.

Gammanpila said he met Sallay at the CID upon a request made by members of the latter’s family and claimed that the former intelligence chief was facing severe discomfort due to the conditions of his detention.

According to Gammanpila, Sallay’s migraine condition had worsened due to a strong stench emanating from a toilet located adjacent to the cell where he is being held, forcing him to double the dosage of medication he normally takes.

He further alleged that rats and cockroaches move across Sallay’s body during the night and claimed that a previous detainee in the same cell had reportedly fallen ill after being bitten by rats.

Gammanpila said Sallay had remarked during the meeting that he would have received better treatment had he been captured by the LTTE.

The former SIS Director had also reportedly expressed deep distress over his treatment, stating that he had dedicated nearly 37 years of his life to serving the country, often at the expense of his family life.

Gammanpila claimed that Sallay became emotional while speaking to police officers, noting that not only he but also his father, grandfather, and two brothers had served in the military. Sallay had questioned whether this was how the nation repaid such service, Gammanpila said.

Gammanpila also recalled that during the time when Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, was previously arrested, he had warned that a series of events could unfold “like a film,” eventually affecting Sallay and later former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well.