Global Sri Lankan Forum Urges President to Intervene as Life of Suresh Salley

The Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF) has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to urgently intervene on humanitarian grounds as the health of retired Major General Thuwan Suresh Salley, former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), has deteriorated sharply while in custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

In a letter to the President, the Forum said Salley was hospitalized in critical condition after beginning a hunger strike while in detention.

Because the detention order was issued under the President’s direct powers in terms of the PTA, the government bears “paramount responsibility” for the detainee’s safety and life, the GSLF stated.

The Forum added that while it fully supports investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, no individual should be held administratively for long periods without charge. It urged authorities to present existing evidence before an independent court and to proceed with transparency.

The letter also warned that any breach of humanitarian protocol in dealing with a senior military officer who served the country’s national security for decades could seriously damage Sri Lanka’s human rights record and international reputation.

Accordingly, the GSLF has requested that the President ensure Salley receives the highest level of medical care, and that steps be taken to expedite his legal process through the regular judicial system.