Ex-SLAF officer files petition challenging Suresh Sallay’s 90-day detention order
March 5, 2026 03:49 pm
A retired officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the 90-day detention order on arrested former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The Minister of Defence, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have been named as respondents in the petition, Ada Derana reporter said.
The petitioner stated that the Prevention of Terrorism Act can only be applied against individuals involved in actions aimed at undermining the country’s unity and territorial integrity, or those who have directly or indirectly supported the unlawful overthrow of a constitutionally elected government.
However, the petitioner pointed out that no such charges have been brought against former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay.
The petitioner further noted that while the Act could be applied against activities of the LTTE aimed at overthrowing a constitutionally elected government and during protests in 2022, there was no evidence of such circumstances in the Easter attack, which was carried out purely on religious grounds.
It was also stated that the CID has not, to date, presented any charges or evidence against Suresh Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The petitioner stated that the petition was filed as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and requested the court to issue a ruling declaring a violation of fundamental human rights.
Furthermore, the petitioner requested that the court order the CID to present charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against Suresh Sallay, and if no sufficient charges exist, to issue appropriate directions in his favor.
