Ex-SLAF officer files petition challenging Suresh Sallay s 90-day detention order

A former officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has submitted a petition to contest the 90-day detention order for Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The petition names several officials as respondents, including the Defence Minister, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), according to a report by Ada Derana. The petitioner argues that the Prevention of Terrorism Act should only apply to those who threaten the country's unity and territorial integrity or who support the unlawful overthrow of a constitutionally elected government. However, the petitioner emphasized that no specific charges have been made against Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS). Additionally, the petitioner noted that while the Act can be enforced for actions related to the LTTE’s attempts to topple a constitutionally elected government or during protests in 2022, there is no proof linking Sallay to such activities in the Easter attack, which was motivated by religious issues. The CID has not yet brought any charges or provided evidence against Suresh Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The petition, filed as Public Interest Litigation (PIL), urges the court to recognize a violation of fundamental human rights. The petitioner also requests that the court demand the CID present charges against Suresh Sallay under the Act, or if no valid charges exist, to provide suitable directions in his favor.