Former head of the State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Salley arrested

Retired Major General Tuan Suresh Sallay, who served as the former head of the State Intelligence Service and also as the former Director of Military Intelligence, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attack.

This arrest is primarily based on a criminal investigation initiated following revelations made in a controversial documentary broadcast by the British Channel 4 television channel concerning the Easter attack. The Criminal Investigation Department had previously informed the Fort Magistrate's Court that these investigations commenced based on a complaint lodged by Father Rohan Silva, the Executive Director of the Centre for Society and Religion.

In his complaint, Father Rohan Silva had requested the Ministry of Public Security to conduct an independent investigation into the statements and allegations made by a person named Azath Maulana in that television program. Subsequently, after the Ministry referred the complaint to Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, these investigations commenced when it was referred to the Deputy Inspector General of the Criminal Investigation Department on his instructions.

Police confirm that a statement has already been recorded from the complainant, Father Rohan Silva, in connection with this investigation. Furthermore, department sources state that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, for whom Azath Maulana (who provided information to the Channel 4 program) previously served as private secretary, has also been informed to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department to provide a statement.

Mr. Tuan Suresh Sallay, who was accused by Channel 4 of being connected to the Easter attack, was appointed as the Director of the State Intelligence Service in December 2019. However, following the submission of this complaint by Father Rohan Silva, the President took steps to remove him from that position and appoint another officer to the post.