The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court was informed today (22) that former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks and is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, has developed a condition known as enlarged heart and has had a medical device fitted to manage the condition.
The information was disclosed based on a medical report prepared by a nine-member medical panel assessing Sallay’s health condition.
The case against three suspects, including Major General Suresh Sallay, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was taken up before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Shani Abeysekara and Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appeared for the prosecution.
The court was told that Suresh Sallay has been hospitalized since June 7 and has been receiving treatment at the emergency care unit attached to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital.
According to the medical report, Sallay has an enlarged heart and a device has been fitted to control the condition. The prosecution also told the court that approximately Rs. 4 million in public funds had been spent on the device.
The Magistrate intervened when the prosecution referred to Suresh Sallay as an alleged “killer,” stating that he remains a suspect and has not been convicted of any offence.
The Additional Solicitor General subsequently apologized to the court and continued his submissions.
The court was further informed that Sallay’s cardiac and mental health conditions are currently stable and that he could be discharged once his dental condition is resolved. A medical panel is scheduled to meet on September 28 to determine whether he should remain hospitalized.
The prosecution also raised concerns over passwords to Sallay’s laptop and mobile phones, stating that the passwords had not yet been provided despite a court order. The defence argued that military intelligence personnel regularly change their passwords as a security measure and may not retain them for long periods.
The prosecution maintained that statements had been recorded from Sallay regarding the passwords, but that he had repeatedly stated that he could not remember them.
Defence President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando also criticized the ongoing investigation, alleging that investigators were now relying on statements made by politicians after failing to make progress through their own investigations.
After considering the submissions, the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered that a report on the progress of the investigation be submitted to court on October 21.
