Questions for Wimal and Gammanpila about the rats in Salle's prison cell

Former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa and Leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Udaya Gammanpila, have expressed deep concern regarding the detention of former Director of State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Salley, who is currently held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Mr. Wimal Weerawansa points out that Mr. Salley has been detained for over 90 days under detention orders by the President's powers, without proper notification to the court. He alleges that Mr. Salley, initially held in a room with minimal facilities, has now been transferred to a very unsanitary punishment cell due to his failure to provide the expected statements. The MP stated that this cell is located next to a foul-smelling toilet, making it impossible for him to even eat, and he is forced to sleep on newspaper sheets on a dusty floor without even a mat. He further alleges that this is a plan to mentally and physically sicken and kill Mr. Salley.

Mr. Weerawansa has expressed his strong protest against the inhumane treatment of an intelligence chief who provided crucial intelligence to prevent attacks targeting Thamilselvan during the war, as well as bomb explosions in passenger buses and trains. He also accuses the government of providing protection to individuals who evaded real responsibility for the Easter attacks, promoting certain officers who failed to properly act on intelligence, and targeting officers like Mr. Salley who were abroad during the relevant period. He further stated that a massive public protest will be organized in front of the Criminal Investigation Department against this in the future.

Meanwhile, Mr. Udaya Gammanpila, who visited Mr. Suresh Salley at the Criminal Investigation Department as his lawyer at the request of his family members, also commented, confirming the allegations. According to Mr. Gammanpila, the severe stench from the toilet adjacent to Mr. Salley's cell has exacerbated his migraine condition, requiring him to double his medication. Mr. Gammanpila stated that rats and cockroaches crawl over his body at night, and a previous occupant of the cell fell ill due to rat bites. Mr. Salley reportedly stated that he would have received better treatment if he had been captured by LTTE terrorists.

Mr. Salley expressed his sorrow, shedding tears in front of police officers, regarding the treatment he has received despite serving the country for nearly 37 years, even sacrificing his family life. He questioned whether this was the nation's gratitude, given that he, his father, grandfather, and two brothers had all joined the military and served the country. Mr. Gammanpila also recalled that he had previously warned that this series of events, like a film, could progress and impact Mr. Salley and subsequently Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, referring to the time when Pillayan was arrested.

However, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has spoken regarding the allegations of rats infesting the relevant floor of the Criminal Investigation Department, stating that no such complaint has been received to date. He further emphasized that if such an allegation is indeed true, authorities could conduct a formal investigation and implement appropriate remedies not only for one individual but for all detainees.