The Satyagraha staged against the detention of former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station has been temporarily called off. 

The decision has been taken based on a court ruling issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate, a short while ago.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued an order to appoint a five-member special medical board comprising psychiatric experts to examine whether the detained former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, was subjected to torture while in custody and to submit a report to the court.

The order, issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, directed that the medical examination be conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, said Ada Derana reporter.

The Magistrate further ordered that the relevant medical report be submitted to the court on the next hearing date.

The leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), former Minister Wimal Weerawansa confirmed the decision to temporarily call off the Satyagraha campaign. He said next steps will be decided based on the report of the medical panel of experts.

The protest organised by several opposition political parties, condemning the alleged inhumane and cruel treatment of the detained former SIS head, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Suresh Sallay commenced on June 08 in Colombo Fort.

A large number of representatives from opposition political parties participated in the demonstration.

The former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay was arrested by the CID on February 25 over allegations linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and remains in CID detention under a court order.