Sale is a true 'hacker' - Details revealed in court with the Password Release order

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered the former head of the State Intelligence Service, retired Army Major General Suresh Salley, who was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the series of suicide terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday, to provide the passwords of his mobile phone and 'laptop' computer to the Criminal Investigation Department. The Magistrate issued this order rejecting seven requests made on behalf of the suspect.

The request to remove the investigation into this series of attacks targeting Catholic churches and star-class hotels from the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Deputy Inspector General of Police Shani Abeysekara, and assign it to another division, was also among the rejected requests.

The Magistrate, who read out and declared this 23-page order in open court, also directed that the suspects be connected via video technology on the next court date. It was stated in court that the detention order initially issued by the Secretary of Defence on February 28, 2026, was later extended on May 27, 2026, and accordingly, the suspect should be detained and questioned by the CID. As this investigation is extremely complex, the Attorney General directly supervises it. Magistrate Amarasekara emphasized that there is no need to change the investigation team, as the suspect Suresh Salley had previously stated before a preceding Magistrate that the investigating officers are performing their duties very well and efficiently, and that they treat him well.

The court, pointing out that the Magistrate's Court has no power to question a detention order issued under Section 9 (1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, also rejected the request to provide books, newspapers, or magazines from outside to the suspect. The police indicated that the suspect has already been given the opportunity to use reading materials available in the CID library, and bringing materials from outside poses a risk of communicating unnecessary information. Furthermore, as facts have revealed a risk of the suspect committing suicide, the court also rejected the request for a pen, stating that providing a pen might allow him to cause himself harm. The request to make a statement under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was rejected because allowing the suspect to present external information unrelated to the crime could hinder the investigations.

Appearing for the prosecution representing the Attorney General, Additional Solicitor General, President's Counsel Dileepa Peiris, along with Senior State Counsel Oswald Perera, submitted to the court that Mr. Suresh Salley is a skilled 'hacker'. Although the mobile phone and 'laptop' computer found in the suspect's vehicle at the time of his arrest were claimed to belong to his daughter, investigations have confirmed that they belong to him. As these two devices cannot be opened without inter-communication, Mr. Peiris stated that it is essential to provide their passwords to Police Inspector Sugath Mendis of the CID for investigations. Mr. Dileepa Peiris revealed that after a travel ban was imposed on the suspect, he commenced a hunger strike, and doctors are providing him with food and vitamins through a nasal tube, adding that the suspect would not be allowed to die until the investigations are concluded.

The prosecution informed the court that six individuals, including former ministers Udaya Gammanpila, Wimal Weerawansa, and Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera, had committed contempt of court through statements made at press conferences recently, and that action would be taken to file cases against them. The CID had previously been granted permission to obtain unedited footage from ten media organizations in this regard. Meanwhile, Attorney Sureen de Perera, appearing for Father Rohan Silva, who filed the initial complaint, stated that the remarks made by Mr. Udaya Gammanpila after visiting the suspect could create a conflict between Buddhist and Catholic religions, and that witnesses were being threatened. The Magistrate ordered the CID to immediately file a complaint regarding this and to conduct a swift investigation.

The prosecution and President's Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne, appearing for His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, objected to a request made by a platoon lieutenant to intervene in the case on behalf of the victims, and the order on this matter was postponed to a future date. President's Counsel Shavendra Fernando, appearing for the suspect, argued that requesting passwords for the devices is illegal and that the suspect's right to remain silent and the presumption of innocence under the Constitution should be protected. However, after considering the facts, the court ordered the suspect to provide the passwords and directed the Criminal Investigation Department to present all suspects, including the other suspects in the incident, Yasith Bawa, Jeheer Bath, and Sarath Samantha, via video technology on the upcoming September 02, and to report on the progress of the investigations on that day.