Major General Tuan Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) of Sri Lanka, was arrested by the Sri Lanka Police on 25 February 2026. He is currently being detained under a Detention Order issued by the Ministry of Defence for questioning in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.

It appears that his arrest is largely based on allegations highlighted in a controversial media report aired by Channel 4 (UK) in 2024. The report suggested that Major General Sallay had been involved in planning the attacks, alleging that he met with the leader of the extremist group responsible for the bombings, along with several associates.

Following the broadcast of this documentary, a Special Presidential Committee was appointed by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe to investigate the claims. The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice S. I. Imam, carefully reviewed the allegations and the evidence presented. The committee concluded that the material used to implicate Major General Sallay was factually incorrect and that the alleged meeting did not take place.

Despite these findings, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police proceeded with his arrest to conduct further investigations. Since his arrest, Major General Sallay has remained in detention. Reports indicate that he is being held under substandard conditions, without adequate access to basic facilities. Additionally, he has reportedly been denied meals provided by his family and restricted from receiving visits from immediate family members.

This petition does not seek to challenge the legal basis of the arrest. Instead, it respectfully calls for fair and humane treatment in line with legal and human rights standards.

Major General Sallay retired from his position in September 2024 and has remained in Sri Lanka since that time. There have been no reported instances of misconduct, nor any indication that he has attempted to interfere with investigators, witnesses, or any aspect of the legal process.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Sri Lanka Police do not oppose the granting of bail, and that Major General Sallay be released on bail while investigations continue in accordance with due legal process.

We, the undersigned, urge the relevant authorities to:

1. Grant bail to Major General Sallay at the next court hearing.
2. Ensure that, while in custody, he is held in a hygienic environment with access to standard facilities.
3. Permit visits from immediate family members.
4. Allow meals to be provided by his family

Support of patriotic Sri Lankans from around the world is expected in seeking justice to Major General Suresh Sallay.

Thank You

Surakimu Lanka Melbourne & SPUR Victoria