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.”