Maj. Gen. Sallay to institute legal action against Yasmin Sooka and ITJP

Director of the State Intelligence Services of Sri Lanka (SIS) Major General Suresh Sallay has sent a Letter of Demand to Executive Director of the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) Ms. Yasmin Sooka and the ITJP for making various allegations against Maj.Gen. Sallay, his Lawyer said.

• The Letter of Demand has also notified Ms. Sooka and the ITJP to cease and desist from issuing further defamatory remarks

The said Letter of Demand sent through Lawyer Pasan Weerasinghe, stated that on or about June 01, 2020, Ms. Yasmin Sooka, in her capacity as the Executive Director of the ITJP has issued a press statement making various defamatory remarks against Major General Sallay. The press statement is said to be published via the ITJP Sri Lanka’s website.   

The Letter of Demand highlighted the defamatory implications have resulted in parties with vested interests making attempts on the life of Major General Sallay. Further, the Letter of Demand goes on to mention the numerous awards and achievements of Major General Sallay and the resultant character and reputation he has thus garnered.   

Further, it states that the defamatory remarks of Ms. Sooka published by the ITJP Sri Lanka website have caused unto the Major General’s character and reputation a significant damage, which the Major General has valued at one Billion Sri Lankan Rupees and in turn, demanded that Ms. Sooka and ITJP pay.   
The Letter of Demand has also notified Ms. Sooka and the ITJP to cease and desist from issuing further defamatory remarks and the intention of Major General Sallay to seek litigation remedies, both Civil and or Criminal, if Ms. Sooka and the ITJP fails to adhere to said demands, it added.   

Soon after Sally was promoted to the rank of Major General, Sooka issued a press statement on June 1, 2020 and charged that Sallay, allegedly forced a Tamil doctor in custody in 2009 to give false testimony by denying him medical treatment and threatening him.   

She also stated in the press statement that “Sallay’s top aide was reportedly picked out as a suspect in the Lasantha (Wickrematunga’s murder) case in an identification parade in 2016 while a second suspect, Kandegedara Piyawansa, was kept on Sallay’s personal staff”.   

 Letter of Demand sent through Lawyer Pasan Weerasinghe, stated that on or about June 01, 2020, Ms. Yasmin Sooka, in her capacity as the Executive Director of the ITJP has issued a press statement making various defamatory remarks against Major General Sallay