By Roy Denish.
A Suresh Salley medical board appointed by the Fort Magistrate examined the former intelligence chief at Colombo National Hospital.
A five-member court-appointed medical board has carried out an extensive examination of former State Intelligence Service chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay at the National Hospital in Colombo, as questions surrounding his health and treatment in custody continue to form part of ongoing court proceedings.
The specialist team reportedly began examining Sallay at around 9:00 a.m. and continued until the evening.
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Suchith Mendis heads the medical board. The other members are Dr. Sithahari Abayanayake, Dr. Dasanthi Akmeemana, Dr. Thulaika Amarasinghe-Vaas and Dr. Vajira Dharmawardena.
The board is also expected to meet members of Sallay’s family as part of its assessment.
Court Ordered Independent Medical Assessment
The examination follows an order issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena on June 10 for a five-member specialist medical board to assess Sallay.
The court appointed the panel following allegations by Sallay’s lawyers that he had suffered torture or ill-treatment while in Criminal Investigation Department custody.
The allegations remain contested and have not been established as fact.
During earlier proceedings, the Magistrate noted that a medical report already submitted to court was not sufficiently comprehensive to determine whether Sallay had experienced torture or mistreatment while detained.
The court therefore ordered a more detailed assessment covering his physical and psychological condition.
Sallay’s lawyers had previously cited medical findings while raising concerns over his condition in detention. The Attorney General’s Department challenged aspects of those claims during court proceedings.
Sallay Remains Central to Easter Sunday Investigation
The CID arrested Sallay on February 25, 2026, over alleged links to the investigation into the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
The retired Major General previously served as Director of the State Intelligence Service and has denied allegations linking him to wrongdoing connected with the attacks. No court has convicted him over those allegations.
His health has increasingly become an issue during his detention.
Sallay was admitted to the National Hospital after his condition deteriorated while he was in custody. On June 27, his attorney said he had been transferred to the hospital’s Cardiology Unit following a sudden cardiac condition.
The latest specialist examination therefore carries significance beyond his immediate medical treatment.
The medical board’s findings are expected to assist the court in determining Sallay’s condition and assessing allegations concerning his treatment while in custody.
Its planned discussions with his family are expected to form another part of that assessment before the medical process is completed.
