The case of former State Intelligence Service Chief Major General Suresh Sallay has taken a critical turn, shifting from allegations of a hunger strike in custody to confirmation from his family that he has now been admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. The development has added a new layer of urgency to an already contentious dispute over his treatment while under detention by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where competing narratives from political figures, relatives, legal counsel, and police continue to diverge sharply.
Public attention first escalated when Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and lawyer Udaya Gammanpila held a special media briefing claiming that Sallay had begun what he described as a “fast to death” while in CID custody. He alleged that the decision followed what he characterized as degrading detention conditions and emotional distress experienced during confinement. According to his account, Sallay had been provided only minimal food, which he claimed was served in a manner that contributed to a breakdown in his mental state.
Gammanpila described an incident in which Sallay was allegedly given a small portion of rice with radish gravy placed on a newspaper sheet on the ground. He claimed the food became soiled and that Sallay was forced to consume it under those conditions, after which he refused further meals. “He has decided to go on a fast to death from last night,” Gammanpila said, attributing the decision to what he described as “inhuman torture and inhumane treatment being inflicted… by the CID.”
He further alleged that Sallay had refused not only food, but also water and medication, and had expressed despair over his situation. In his briefing, Gammanpila stated that Sallay told his son, “what have I done wrong to do this to me?” and that he had declared it would be “better to die than to live under such inhuman torture and false accusations.” He also raised concerns about surveillance, claiming Sallay referenced CCTV cameras in areas where he alleged mistreatment had occurred and challenged authorities to release footage if the claims were false.
Additional claims were circulated by Sallay’s brother, Selvin Sallay, who posted on social media that his brother had confirmed the hunger strike during a visit to CID custody. He wrote that Sallay had refused “any food, water or medicine,” and alleged that the decision was driven by what he described as “ongoing mental torture, systemic injustice and fabricated allegations.”
The Sri Lanka Police, however, issued a firm rebuttal to these allegations, stating that reports of assault or inhumane treatment were untrue. In its statement, the Police Media Division emphasized that Sallay, who is being held in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, is being treated as an ordinary suspect without special favor or neglect. The police further stated that “the statement made… is a statement devoid of truth,” and cautioned that matters currently before court should not be influenced by public commentary outside judicial proceedings.
Amid these conflicting accounts, a significant development emerged through a letter from Sallay’s wife, who confirmed that he has been admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. In her appeal, she described witnessing his condition during a family visit, stating that he appeared physically weak and emotionally distressed. She wrote that he had been refusing treatment and speaking in terms that suggested deep despair.
In the letter, she stated, “I am aware of the fact that my husband has been admitted to the National Hospital and is presently receiving treatment,” while also expressing concern about his mental state and continued refusal of care. She added that although she and her children had been permitted to see him from a distance, the experience left them deeply worried about his condition and ability to make decisions in his best interest.
She further appealed for urgent access for his legal representatives, stating that their presence could help persuade him to cooperate with treatment. “At this critical moment, he requires not only medical treatment but also the reassurance and guidance that his legal representatives are uniquely placed to provide,” she wrote, emphasizing that the request was made on humanitarian grounds and subject to medical approval.
A separate letter submitted by Attorney-at-law Asith Siriwardena, acting as counsel for Sallay, provided further detail on the severity of his condition prior to hospitalization. The letter stated that during a family visit, Sallay “was reportedly unable to attend the visitation without the physical assistance of two officers,” and had informed relatives that he had refused “medication, saline, food, and water.”
It further quoted Sallay as expressing a belief that his death was imminent and requesting arrangements related to his last will and other legal matters. The lawyer wrote, “He also requested an immediate visit from his attorney for the purpose of executing his last will,” and warned that Sallay was no longer in a condition capable of making rational decisions regarding his health and survival.
The letter underscored what it described as the State’s “non-delegable duty of care” toward detainees, stating that authorities bear responsibility for safeguarding the life and wellbeing of individuals in custody. It further warned that failure to act could result in legal consequences, asserting that continued detention under such conditions “may give rise to personal and institutional liability under the criminal and civil law of Sri Lanka.”
It also formally demanded immediate medical intervention, independent assessment by specialists, and transfer to appropriate hospital care if necessary. Among its key requests were urgent medical examination and unrestricted access for both family and legal counsel, stressing that any delay could have serious consequences.
Alongside these legal submissions, references have also been made to a forensic medical report reportedly presented to court. According to statements made during the media briefing, the report described nutritional deficiencies and lack of adequate dietary support, including insufficient protein, vitamins, and exposure to sunlight. It reportedly recommended structured meals, supplementation, and physical activity as part of recovery measures.
The emergence of these claims, counterclaims, and medical references has created a complex and highly contested picture of Sallay’s condition and treatment. While his family and legal representatives describe a deteriorating medical situation requiring urgent intervention, the police maintain that detention conditions are lawful and appropriate, rejecting allegations of mistreatment outright.
