by Our Correspondent in Colombo
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday heard that the mother of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay attended church on Easter Sunday 2019, as his legal team continued challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, appearing for Sallay, told the court that his client’s mother is a practising Christian and had attended church on the day of the attacks. He also submitted that Sallay himself regularly visited Catholic churches, arguing that the allegations against him were inconsistent with those facts.
Sallay, who was arrested earlier this year and remains in custody under the PTA, is being investigated over alleged links to the Easter Sunday attacks. His detention has become one of the most closely watched legal proceedings arising from the continuing investigation into the 2019 bombings.
During seven days of submissions before the Court of Appeal, Jayawardena argued that no material had been presented to substantiate allegations that Sallay planned or facilitated the attacks. He maintained that his client had, while serving in military intelligence, warned authorities about the growth of Islamist extremism years before the bombings and had proposed measures to counter the threat.
The defence also challenged the credibility of evidence relied upon during the investigation, including statements attributed to witnesses, and argued that official travel records contradicted claims placing Sallay in Sri Lanka during key events cited by investigators.
Counsel further referred to intelligence warnings issued before the Easter Sunday attacks, including information that had been shared with senior law enforcement officials, questioning why preventive action had not been taken despite those warnings.
The case comes amid continuing public and political debate over the Easter Sunday investigation and the responsibility of state institutions for failing to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence.
The petition was heard before Court of Appeal President Justice Rohini Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath is scheduled to present preliminary objections on behalf of the respondents at the next hearing.
