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In a special statement made in Parliament today, the Minister of Public Security, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, clarified the true situation regarding numerous false rumors spread across various media outlets concerning the detained Suresh Salle, and disclosed several facts uncovered based on the progress of the investigations. The written transcript of his full speech is as follows:
"Certain groups are currently spreading various false and fabricated propaganda. In particular, numerous attempts are being launched to mislead the public through false and malicious statements claiming that Mr. Suresh Salle was arrested, detained, and subjected to various forms of torture. I felt it was necessary to brief this August Assembly on this matter.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, at this moment, I request you to focus on the events prior to and following the series of suicide attacks carried out by Islamic extremists on April 21, 2019 (Easter Sunday), targeting tourist hotels and Catholic churches. Legal actions have been taken to uncover hitherto undisclosed facts and the individuals, groups, and parties responsible for these crimes.
1. Commencement of Investigations and Legal Steps
Based on a complaint lodged dated 2024.10.01 by Rev. Father Jude Vernon Silva, the Executive Director of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), further investigations were initiated across several angles under Investigation File No. 544/2024 (CM).
Seeking Legal Advice: Steps have been taken to brief the Hon. Attorney General at the very outset under CR 1/316/2024 regarding legal issues that may arise during the conduct of the investigations and to obtain legal counsel.
Judicial Process: Relevant facts concerning this investigation are being reported to the Hon. Fort Magistrate's Court under Case No. B 882/2024, and the legal proceedings are ongoing.
Legal Guidance: Constant legal advice is being sought from the law officers appointed by the Attorney General to represent the prosecution and guide the investigations.
2. Disclosures Against Mr. Tuan Suresh Salle
Hon. Deputy Speaker, during the investigations conducted into this incident, sufficient facts have been uncovered to reasonably believe that the retired Major General Tuan Suresh Salle—former Director of Military Intelligence and former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS)—conspired in this attack by strategically guiding Islamic extremists:
Gathering Sensitive Information: Approximately three weeks before the Easter attacks, he had directed four Muslim individuals to gather sensitive information, including the number of people attending services at Catholic churches in the Negombo area.
Identification of Suspects: A witness identified the photograph of the leader among those directed to gather this information from among the photographs of Islamic extremists maintained by the Criminal Records Division (CRD). It has been confirmed that this individual is an ISIS ideologue and has been missing since the attack.
Ignoring Intelligence: Despite being informed by a military intelligence informant residing in Panadura that the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), led by Zahran Hashim, was planning to launch an attack, ignoring this information facilitated the opportunity for the attack.
Influencing the Informant: After the informant reported that the attack was executed under the direction of a high-ranking military officer, he was unlawfully arrested and detained, and later released. It has also been revealed that Mr. Suresh Salle subsequently met him at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo and apologized to him.
Channel 4 Revelation: According to the disclosures made to Britain's Channel 4 network by Mohammed Nilaam Mohammed Hanseer, alias 'Azad Maulana', it has been confirmed that Tuan Suresh Salle systematically laid the groundwork required for this series of attacks.
This conduct has severely impacted national security, the economy, as well as communal and religious harmony. It is clear that he has directly and indirectly aided and abetted this crime, committing offenses that fall under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
3. Arrest of the Suspect and Provided Facilities
Based on the above facts, after explaining the charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Mr. Tuan Suresh Salle (residing at No. 7/2B, 7th Lane, Jambugasmulla Road, Nugegoda, as per his National Identity Card details) was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 2026.02.25 in the Peliyagoda area.
From the moment of his arrest, all his fundamental rights and facilities have been provided without any violation whatsoever:
Opportunity to communicate with a lawyer and obtain legal advice.
Taking him to his residence after the arrest, explaining the facts to his wife and other relatives, and handing over the relevant acknowledgment receipt.
Informing the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) in writing.
Producing him before the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO).
Subsequently, a 72-hour detention order was obtained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, followed by a 90-day detention order, under which he is being held at the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Weekly Facilities Provided:
Every Wednesday: To meet and consult with his attorney.
Every Friday: To speak over the phone with close relatives, including his wife and mother.
Every Saturday: Opportunity to meet close relatives and receive food, clothing, and other beverages brought from home.
Furthermore, the Hon. Fort Magistrate visited the Criminal Investigation Department and inspected the detention cell. At no point during these visits did the suspect complain to the Magistrate or any other authority that he was treated inhumanely or subjected to torture.
4. Medical Examinations and Treatment Provided
At the request of the suspect's attorney and pursuant to court orders, he was produced before the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo, Mr. Shriantha Amararatne. Based on his recommendations, all necessary specialist medical treatment has been provided to the suspect:
In addition, samples required for laboratory tests have been forwarded to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) located at Danister de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 8.
5. Travel Ban on Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Suspect's Hunger Strike
Based on the sensitive facts disclosed through the statement of the witness named Azad Maulana, an order was obtained from the Hon. Fort Magistrate's Court on 2026.03.26 to impose a travel ban on three individuals, including former President Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Furthermore, steps were taken to extend the detention order of Mr. Suresh Salle by another 90 days with effect from 2026.05.27.
Following these legal steps, the behavior of the suspect Suresh Salle changed completely. Behaving in a manner that obstructs and prejudices the investigations, he commenced a hunger strike by refusing food from the night of 2026.06.05.
2026.06.06: He rejected even the food brought by his brother and son. Although he was allowed to discuss with his family upon his wife's request, he continued to refuse food.
Medical Supervision: Due to this planned refusal of food, the Medical Director of the Police Hospital, Dr. Dinuka Seneviratne, and Dr. Sanjeewa Nuwan were summoned to examine his health condition.
Hospitalization: When Dr. Seneviratne examined him again on 2026.06.07, it was confirmed that his blood sugar level had dropped. Therefore, he was immediately admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the Colombo National Hospital under full security. Following initial treatment, he was transferred to Ward 14, and since 2026.06.08 to date, he has been admitted to Ward 42, receiving treatment under the full supervision of psychiatrists, physicians, and nutritionists.
6. Future Investigative Steps and Ensuring Justice
Hon. Deputy Speaker, from the date of his arrest up to now, the suspect has not provided any positive cooperation to the investigations. He has so far refused to even provide the passwords of the Apple mobile phone taken into custody from his possession and the laptop computer found at his residence to the investigating officers.
No matter how he attempts to conceal the facts, his direct connection to this conspiracy has already been well established through all the scientific, technological, and telecommunication data obtained so far.
We are not prepared to halt these investigations under the pressure of any hunger strike or Satyagraha (fast). The Easter Sunday attacks claimed 278 innocent lives; more than 500 people were injured and left disabled. Justice must absolutely be served to those people. Our objective is to remove the grave suspicions that existed in society and bring the real perpetrators to face the law.
Due to the complexity, controversial nature, and sensitivity of this investigation, I am unable to disclose all the facts at this juncture. However, I declare to this August Assembly that we will definitely take measures to continuously carry forward the investigations, bring everyone connected to the Easter Sunday attacks before the court, and ensure they receive due punishment."