The detention order against former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) retired Major General Suresh Sallay has been extended for a further 90 days in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

His initial 90-day detention order was due to expire at midnight today (25). 

The Ministry of Defence has accordingly authorised the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to detain and question Suresh Sallay for another 90 days from tomorrow.

Sallay was arrested by the CID on February 26 as part of investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. 

He was initially placed under a 72-hour detention order before being detained for 90 days under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The CID subsequently named Sallay as a suspect in a case before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court over the killing of two police officers in Vavunathivu on November 29, 2018, and alleged attempts to misdirect investigations into the Sainthamaruthu explosion that occurred following the Easter Sunday attacks.

While in detention, former SIS Director Suresh Sallay launched a hunger strike, claiming that he had been subjected to inhumane treatment. He was later admitted to hospital after his health condition deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Sallay’s wife Manori Sallay and his mother had appealed to the President not to extend the detention order beyond the initial 90-day period.

In their letters, they requested that Major General Suresh Sallay be remanded instead and that the remaining investigations be conducted while he was in remand custody.

However, the detention order has now been extended for another 90 days with the approval of the Ministry of Defence.