Short family visits allowed after protest letters

Following letters sent by former State Intelligence Service Director Maj. Gen. (retd.) Suresh Sallay’s wife Manori and counsel Asith Siriwardena  to the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) SSP (retd.) Shani Abeysekera, permission was granted for family members and lawyers to visit Sallay for 15 minutes each.

Siriwardena requested Sallay to discontinue his hunger strike. However, Sallay refused to comply and asked the latter to tell his wife not to make similar requests.

On 25 February, the CID arrested Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage that claimed nearly 280 lives including  about 40 foreigners.

Sallay has said that he will continue his fast-unto-death until the government gives a formal undertaking to transfer both his place of detention and the investigation to another investigative division of the Police Department.

Sources said that the detainee has said that whatever investigative division that is not under the supervision, command or control of retired SSP Shani Abeysekera.

The following is the text of the letter Manori Sallay sent to the Director CID earlier in the day: “I write to you as the wife of Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, with a heavy heart and in a state of profound distress.

“On the 6th of June 2026 during a family visit, my son & my brother-in-law witnessed my husband in a condition that has left us deeply shocked and frightened. He appeared physically weak, emotionally exhausted, and in obvious distress. We were informed that he had refused food, water, medication, and medical treatment. Most heartbreaking of all, he spoke as though he had lost hope and believed that death was imminent.

“As his wife, I cannot adequately express the anguish of hearing him speak in such terms. Our family is gravely concerned for his life and wellbeing. We fear that he is no longer in a state where he can properly assess his own interests or make decisions that are in his best interests.

“I am aware of the fact that my husband has been admitted to the National Hospital and is presently receiving treatment. In fact after being admitted myself and my children were granted permission to see him from a distance at NHSL.

“While this brings some measure of relief, I remain deeply concerned about his present state of mind and his continued refusal to accept medical care.

“In these circumstances, I respectfully and earnestly request that President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando and Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena, who are representing my husband, be granted permission to visit him as a matter of urgency.

“I believe that their presence may help him regain confidence, understand the legal avenues available to him, and persuade him to abandon the fast-to-death campaign that he has undertaken. 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.

“I wish to make it clear that this request is made entirely on humanitarian grounds. The proposed visit would take place only with the approval of the attending medical professionals and subject to any conditions they may consider necessary.

“The sole purpose is to support my husband, encourage him to cooperate with treatment, and help preserve his life.

“As a wife watching her husband struggle under these circumstances, I respectfully appeal to your compassion and understanding. Time is of the essence. Every hour that passes without meaningful intervention increases our fear for his safety and wellbeing.

“I therefore humbly request that arrangements be made to permit President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando and Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena to meet my husband today at NHSL.

“I sincerely hope that this request will receive your urgent and favourable consideration.”

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka facilitated a high-level Sri Lankan delegation to the US Forum on Indian Ocean Ports and Supply Chains in Washington, DC, last week. Convened and funded by the US Department of State, the forum brought together Indo-Pacific partners, port operators, and US private sector leaders to leverage US technology for resilient infrastructure and secure supply chains and to expand investment across the Indian Ocean region.

Delegates from Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka explored opportunities in port development, digital transformation with essential cybersecurity, trade financing, and supply chain efficiency — reinforcing the United States’ commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Deputy Assistant Secretary Bethany Morrison opened the forum alongside senior US officials and private sector representatives, underscoring how secure and well-connected regional ports are both an economic imperative and a US national security priority.

During their visit to the United States, the Sri Lankan delegates toured the Port of Baltimore, where they met with port officials and industry stakeholders to learn about port operations, logistics, innovative equipment and digital platforms, and supply chain management practices that support one of America’s key maritime gateways.

The Sri Lankan delegation included:  Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports & Civil Aviation; Hanif Yusoof, Presidential Special Envoy for Foreign Direct Investment; Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority; Rohan Masakorala, CEO, Shippers Academy Colombo (Pvt) Ltd; Andre Fernando, Chairman, Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association; Dashma Karunaratne, Chief Commercial Officer, Colombo West International Terminal; John Shiran Dissanayake, Chairman, ABC Shipping (Private) Limited and Aritha Wickramasinghe, Chief of Staff, Office of the Presidential Special Envoy for Foreign Direct Investment.

The forum advances the United States’ strategic interest to deepen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, connect regional governments with US private sector investment and technology, and ensure the Indo-Pacific’s critical maritime infrastructure is built on a foundation of transparency, trust, and shared prosperity.

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday said that vehicle imports have not shown a significant decline despite the surcharge imposed earlier this year, with imported vehicles continuing to enter the market.

Customs spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa, addressing the media, noted that although a large number of imported vehicles remain unsold, import volumes have not dropped as expected, and the marginal reduction observed has not had any impact on state revenue.

He said vehicle imports account for around 30 per cent of total Customs revenue.

Providing monthly figures, he said Customs revenue stood at Rs. 235 billion in January, of which Rs. 91 billion came from vehicle imports; Rs. 215 billion in February, with Rs. 75 billion from vehicles; Rs. 231.9 billion in March, with Rs. 77 billion from vehicles; Rs. 242.9 billion in April, with Rs. 84 billion from vehicles; and Rs. 212 billion up to May 28, of which Rs. 76 billion was generated from vehicle imports.

Punchihewa added that the recent rise in the US dollar, partly driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, had increased the rupee value of Customs taxes, thereby boosting revenue rather than reducing it.

He further noted that vehicle imports accounted for 30–35 per cent of Customs revenue last year as well, a trend that continues this year.

“Despite the surcharge, no reduction has been reported as previously expected,” he said.