The Court of Appeal today (11) postponed further consideration of a writ petition filed by the former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, seeking an order to invalidate the detention order issued against him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), until July 10, 2026. 

The petition was taken up before a bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, Ada Derana reporter said. 

Appearing on behalf of Sallay, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena made submissions regarding the spread of the ISIS ideology in Sri Lanka. He told the court that information had revealed that 39 Sri Lankans had travelled to Syria and joined ISIS, noting that former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had also made a statement in Parliament on the matter.

The counsel alleged that although investigations into the vandalism of Buddha statues in Mawanella had uncovered links to a foreign extremist ideology, former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara had failed to conduct adequate investigations into the matter.

He further claimed that despite evidence suggesting the involvement of an international terrorist organisation and the possibility of seeking assistance from Interpol, the CID had not pursued further inquiries.

Jayawardena also referred to an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court by former State Intelligence Service chief Nilantha Jayawardena, which stated that 97 intelligence reports on the activities of extremist groups led by Zahran Hashim had been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) between April 20, 2016 and April 30, 2019. 

He added that a list of 129 individuals allegedly linked to extremist activities had also been provided.

According to the submissions, former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Seneviratne had failed to carry out proper investigations into the warnings and intelligence reports.

The President’s Counsel further told the court that Indian intelligence authorities had informed Sri Lankan officials on April 4, 2019, of a planned suicide bombing, knife attack, and vehicle attack targeting churches, tourist hotels, and the Indian High Commission in Colombo. He said the intelligence reports had even identified Zahran Hashim and several of his followers as those expected to participate in the attacks.

However, he alleged that the relevant authorities failed to act adequately on the intelligence received. 

He also argued that no investigation or commission report had ever found Sallay to be linked to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Jayawardena additionally pointed out that the committee headed by former High Court Judge Jayaki de Alwis had recommended legal action against former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and former Deputy Inspector General Ravi Seneviratne for failing to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks.

Following the submissions, the Court of Appeal decided to postpone further hearings of the petition until July 10, 2026.