Former MP Udaya Gammanpila has claimed that compelling former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay to provide the passwords to his mobile phones and computers for investigative purposes is entirely unlawful.
Speaking to the media, Gammanpila said that although government representatives had suggested the matter could be resolved if Sallay disclosed his passwords, forcing a suspect to assist an investigation in such a manner amounted to a violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
He argued that the process infringed upon the rights of a suspect and warned that those involved in seeking the passwords would face legal action under a future government.
“I saw the government saying that if Sallay had simply handed over the passwords, the issue would have been over. But I say that those who demanded the passwords, including Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, will certainly be punished under the Code of Criminal Procedure by a future government. Compelling a suspect to assist an investigation is an improper form of coercion and an offence punishable by law,” Gammanpila said.
