‘Inhumane treatment of Suresh Sallay is unconstitutional’ – UNP

The United National Party (UNP) has issued a special statement alleging that former State Intelligence Service chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay was subjected to inhumane treatment during his arrest and detention.

The party noted that Sallay, who is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital due to illness, is in poor health, according to public statements made by his wife and son.

The statement said that during the administrations of former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sallay had served the country as head of state intelligence and had not faced such allegations at the time. It added that the current concern is not the accusations levelled against him, but rather the alleged inhumane treatment of a person in custody.

The UNP claimed that information emerging following Sallay’s hospitalisation suggests he may have been subjected to severe mistreatment and torture.

The party argued that such treatment would amount to a direct violation of Article 11 of the Sri Lankan Constitution, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

It further stated that the alleged conduct would constitute a serious violation of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as well as protections afforded to detainees under Section 9(a)(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Convention Against Torture Act No. 22 of 1994.

The UNP said that, given the matter has already attracted international attention, a parliamentary delegation should be sent immediately to investigate the manner in which Sallay has been treated.

The party also claimed that, at a time when the current government is allegedly attempting to exert greater control over the Buddhist clergy, there is concern that similar trends could eventually be directed at Buddhist monks as well.

The UNP stressed that all actions taken against Major General Suresh Sallay must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and international legal obligations.