Former Justice and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has challenged the circumstances surrounding the detention of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, alleging that the Police were misleading the public about his custody status.
In a statement shared on social media, Sabry claimed that Sallay was not being held under judicial custody but was instead detained under executive authority.
“Suresh Sallay is not in Judicial Custody. He is being detained by Executive, namely President of the Republic in his capacity as the Defence Minister. Police is misleading the public,” Sabry stated.
The remarks came amid growing controversy over Sallay’s detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and reports that he has launched a hunger strike while being held at a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detention facility.
Major General (Retd.) Sallay, the former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), was arrested by the CID on 25 February 2026 in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. He had been appointed to head the SIS in late 2019 under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and was removed from the post in 2024 following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
At the time of Sallay’s arrest, Sabry criticised the investigation, describing it as a “public spectacle” and “theatrics designed to mislead or divide.”
The issue has since intensified following allegations that Sallay has begun a “fast unto death” hunger strike in protest against his detention, which has reportedly exceeded 100 days. Opposition politicians and members of his legal team have claimed that he has refused food, water, and medication, citing concerns over his treatment and the length of his detention.
A formal complaint has also been submitted to the Inspector General of Police alleging that Sallay has been subjected to psychological pressure, cruel treatment, and the denial of adequate medical care despite recommendations made by a Judicial Medical Officer.
Meanwhile, Sallay’s wife, Manori Sallay, appealed to authorities to intervene after visiting him at the CID detention facility.
Speaking to reporters, she said her husband’s physical condition had deteriorated significantly and described him as visibly weak and emotionally distressed.
“My husband is innocent, and everyone knows it. It is clearly visible that he is being used as a scapegoat,” she said.
While stating that her husband remained determined to continue the hunger strike in protest against what she described as systemic injustice, she urged authorities to ensure he received immediate medical attention.
“I am requesting that before anything happens to him, he be taken to a hospital. I am only asking to save his life,” she said.
