A secret 600-page statement from Salega

In relation to the writ petition filed before the Court of Appeal by former Chief of State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Salley, who is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department concerning the investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, his lawyers have submitted over 600 pages of highly critical additional documents and evidence to the court. This step has been taken amidst the backdrop that the hearing of his petition, while he is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment for an illness, is scheduled to be held on July 10th.

Due to this latest set of documents, many hitherto undisclosed confidential facts regarding the Easter bomb attack, the investigations conducted into it, and the conduct of senior officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) during that period have come to light.

Mr. Suresh Salley's legal team states that these 600 pages of documents include numerous sworn affidavits given by investigators and key witnesses before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attack, which operated under the chairmanship of Justice Janaka de Silva. They further state that these documents clarify who is directly responsible for the attack and confirm how certain senior officers who served in the Criminal Investigation Department at the time deliberately evaded investigations and seriously neglected their duties.

Additionally, the special testimony given by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith before the relevant Presidential Commission has also been included in this document file. The Cardinal emphasized that the investigations into the Easter attack should proceed independently, free from any political influence. Petitioner Mr. Suresh Salley argues before the court that this principle of independence has completely collapsed within the current political and social environment.

Meanwhile, this legal action initiated by Mr. Suresh Salley is not merely limited to a personal petition but is becoming a legal battle of national importance that has garnered the attention of the entire society. Numerous stakeholders representing civil organizations, national organizations, and the Maha Sangha have already officially sought permission from the Court of Appeal to intervene and present facts in this case by filing interim petitions.

Organizations such as the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Global Sri Lanka Forum, and Patriotic National Front, as well as members of the Maha Sangha including Ven. Dimbulagala Rahulalankara Thero of Dimbulagala Maha Viharaya, Ven. Dapane Sumanawansa Thero of Gangodawila Sri Bodhimalu Viharaya in Nugegoda, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero of Sri Pragnananda Dharmayathanaya on Kelaniya Railway Station Road, and Ven. Angulugalle Siri Jinananda Thero of Isurupura Sri Wimalarama in Malabe, are seeking permission to intervene in the case. Accordingly, when this writ petition is taken up for hearing again before the Court of Appeal next Friday, July 10th, in addition to the main petition, the interim petitions submitted by all these national organizations and the Maha Sangha are also scheduled to be considered by the court.