The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay to provide the passwords to his mobile phone and laptop to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to facilitate further investigations. 

Earlier today (01), Sallay called off his hunger strike following repeated advice and representations made by his legal counsel.

Suresh Sallay was arrested by the CID on February 25 over allegations linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and remains in custody under detention orders as the investigations continue. 

He was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital on June 7 after falling ill while in CID custody and was initially treated at the hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

According to his legal representatives, his health deteriorated after he commenced a hunger strike, alleging inhumane treatment and torture while in detention. Despite receiving treatment at the National Hospital, he initially refused to end the hunger strike.

On June 27, he was transferred to the Cardiology Unit of the Colombo National Hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac condition.

Despite his condition and the treatment given to him at the National Hospital, Suresh Sallay had refused to end his hunger strike.

Major General (retired) Suresh Sallay later informed his personnel lawyer during a hospital visit that he is unwilling to return to the CID detention cell, describing the facility as “hell” and stating that death would be preferable. 

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) also launched a separate investigation into the complaint alleging that Sallay was subjected to various forms of mistreatment while in custody.