The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, in recent days certain groups have been spreading numerous malicious and false claims. A series of attempts have been launched to mislead society through false statements alleging that Mr. Suresh Sallay was unlawfully arrested, detained, and subjected to torture. I wish to inform this Hon. House of the true position, and I seek your leave to do so.

¶ 02 1. Pursuant to a complaint lodged on 11.10.2024 by Rev. Ranmuni Jude Warnan Silva, Executive Director of the Center for Social Justice, seeking to uncover hitherto undisclosed matters and related facts concerning: - the series of coordinated suicide bombings carried out on Easter Sunday, 21.04.2019 by Islamist extremists targeting tourist hotels and Catholic churches, - the events preceding and following those attacks, - and to identify the individuals, groups, and parties responsible for those crimes, investigations have been proceeding under CM file No. C 544/2024/CM through several investigative modules.

¶ 03 2. At the outset of these investigations, given potential legal sensitivities, a reference CR 1/316/2024 was made to the Hon. Attorney-General seeking legal advice. The matter is reported to Court under case No. B 35882/2024 before the Hon. Colombo Magistrate. The Department of the Attorney-General has appointed legal officers to guide the investigation and appear in Court on behalf of the complainant, and we continue to seek their advice as needed.

¶ 04 3-4. In the course of the fact-based investigation, sufficient material has emerged to reasonably and justifiably believe that Retired Major General Tuan Suresh Sallay—formerly a Director of Military Intelligence and Director of the State Intelligence Service—conspired by proactively steering Islamist extremists towards committing the Easter Sunday bombings of 21.04.2019. Key revelations include: i. Approximately three weeks prior to the attacks, an officer of the Army Intelligence Service under Tuan Suresh Sallay directed four Muslim individuals to gather sensitive information in the Negombo area about Catholic churches—their locations and the numbers attending services. ii. Among those so tasked, the principal individual was later identified by a witness from wanted lists maintained by counterterrorism units as an ISIS adherent; he has been missing since the Easter attacks. iii. An informant from Panadura had alerted Army Intelligence that NTJ extremists including Mohamed Zahran (Kamal Hashim noted in OCR) were planning an attack. That intelligence was allegedly disregarded by the Army’s intelligence arm, enabling the Easter bombings. The informant further stated the attacks were conducted under the direction of a senior Army officer. After giving this information, the informant was unlawfully arrested and detained, then later released. Following release, Tuan Suresh Sallay met the informant at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, discussed matters, and sought his pardon. iv. As revealed on a British Channel 4 programme by Mohamed Mihilar Mohamed Hanseer alias Asad Maulana, the groundwork necessary for the Easter bombings was strategically arranged by Tuan Suresh Sallay.

¶ 05 Accordingly, these acts had a severe impact on national security, caused the deaths of a large number of persons, seriously injured many others, inflicted massive property damage, directly harmed the national economy, and ruptured inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations.

¶ 06 5. The investigation has further revealed that the suspect, a senior official who served as head of Military Intelligence and later as head of the State Intelligence Service, acted with prior knowledge to conspire in relation to the suicide bombings and associated terrorist activities of 21.04.2019, and took steps to prevent the disclosure of highly sensitive and disturbing facts before and after the attacks. In doing so, the suspect appears to have committed offences under sections 2(j), 3(a), (b), (c) and 5(a)(i), (ii) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979, by directly or indirectly aiding and abetting, and by preventing the exposure of persons, groups or parties who orchestrated those heinous acts.

¶ 07 6. Based on the above material, the suspect, Tuan Suresh Sallay, holder of NIC No. 6815309162, of No. 07/026, Jambugasmulla Road, Nugegoda, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department at 0800 hrs on 25.02.2026 at Peliyagoda, Negombo Road, under the PTA for offences under sections 2(j), 3(a), (b), (c) and 5(a)(i), (ii).

¶ 08 At arrest and thereafter, the following were ensured without any breach: i. Opportunity to consult his lawyer and obtain legal advice. ii. He was taken to his residence and shown to his wife and close relatives; reasons for the arrest were explained and a custody receipt was handed to his wife. iii. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) was informed in writing of his arrest and detention for investigation. iv. He was produced before the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer following arrest. v. A 72-hour detention order under the PTA was obtained, and subsequently a 90-day detention order under section 9(1) of the PTA to detain and investigate at the CID. vi. The matter was reported to the Hon. Colombo Magistrate’s Court under B 35882/2024; he is named the 3rd suspect and produced from remand/detention as required. vii. HRCSL and his close relatives were kept informed in writing about his detention at the CID.

¶ 09 7. While under the detention order, the suspect has been afforded: i. Every Wednesday: access to meet his lawyer and obtain advice. ii. Every Friday: opportunity to make phone calls to his wife, mother and close relatives. iii. Every Saturday: family visits and access to food, clothing, supplements such as fish oil, etc., brought from home.

¶ 10 Under the amended section 9 of the PTA (as amended by Act No. 12 of 2022), the Hon. Colombo Magistrate visited the CID on: - 24.04.2026, and - 27.05.2026, to observe the suspect. On neither occasion did the suspect complain of ill-treatment, torture or inhuman treatment, either to the Magistrate or to any other authority. No complaint was made against investigating officers.

¶ 11 8. Pursuant to Hon. Court orders on 22.04.2026 and a request made to the Chief JMO, Dr. Shyamantha Amararatne, the suspect was referred under Medico-Legal Form No. 50/2026 for specialist consultations: - On 29.04.2026: National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dermatologist Dr. Janaka Akarawita examined him and treated a leprous condition in the axillary region; prescribed medication was provided. - On 29.04.2026: NHSL Specialist Nutritionist Dr. H.M.N.P. Herath examined him, prescribed nutritional supplements and vitamins, and directed several lab tests. Samples were arranged through the Medical Research Institute, Borella. - On 29.04.2026: NHSL Neurologist Dr. Gamini Pathirana ordered an MRI; it was performed on 02.05.2026 and the suspect was re-presented with the report. - On 06.05.2026: National Eye Hospital Ophthalmologist Dr. Dayavanse examined him.

¶ 12 Additionally, at the time of arrest he was suffering from an ear condition for which he was referred to an ENT specialist at NHSL for treatment. A previously fitted dental crown had dislodged; he was examined by a dental surgeon and it was refitted.

¶ 13 9. The statement of key witness Mohamed Mihilar Mohamed Hanseer alias Asad Maulana has been recorded, revealing highly sensitive matters about the Easter attacks. Based on investigative findings, on 03.06.2026 the CID sought and obtained a travel ban against three individuals including former President Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, and on 27.05.2026 extended the suspect’s detention order No. MOD/LEG/PTA/21/2026 for a further 90 days.

¶ 14 After these lawful steps—particularly obtaining the travel ban—the suspect’s conduct changed. From the night of 05.06.2026, he commenced a hunger strike, refusing food, thereby obstructing and impeding the investigation.

¶ 15 On 06.06.2026 he refused food brought by his brother and son; at his wife’s request, she, his brother, and his son were allowed to meet him, but he still refused food.

¶ 16 Given his deliberate refusal of food, Police Hospital Director Dr. Dinuka Senewiratne and Dr. Sandeera Nuwan examined him. On 07.06.2026, upon further refusal and low blood glucose confirmed by the doctor, he was taken under full security to NHSL, treated at the Emergency Treatment Unit, then admitted to Ward 14, and from 08.06.2026 to Ward 42, where he remains under medical supervision. He is under treatment and counselling by psychiatrists, physicians and nutritionists.

¶ 17 10. Since arrest, the suspect has not cooperated with the investigation. He has refused to provide the passcode to the Apple mobile phone seized from his possession at arrest to enable forensic analysis, and he has not provided the password for the laptop seized from his residence, thereby attempting to suppress evidence.

¶ 18 Nevertheless, the scientific, telecommunication and other evidence obtained thus far strongly corroborates his connection with the conspiracy and his prior knowledge and actions leading up to the attacks. The investigation will continue methodically and will not be halted by hunger strikes or protests.

¶ 19 Two hundred and seventy-eight people died in the Easter attacks and over 500 were grievously injured. Justice must be done. Given the sensitivity and complexity of this probe, I cannot disclose all details at this stage. We will proceed to bring before Court all who are responsible.

¶ 20 We have ensured all lawful, basic facilities: medical care, family contact, access to counsel, HRCSL notification, and Magistrate’s oversight. Unlike past abuses, we will not grant improper privileges.

¶ 21 Certain bankrupt political parties are attempting to mislead the public through demonstrations and theatrics. We will not be swayed. Comprehensive investigations are underway not only into Easter Sunday but also into major financial crimes and attacks on media personnel. The National People’s Power Government remains committed to pursue all matters and bring offenders before the law.