Retired Major General Suresh Sallay named third suspect in Easter attack probe

The Criminal Investigation Department yesterday informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained and questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been named as the third suspect in the ongoing investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.  

The CID made this submission before Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara, stating that the suspect had been arrested on February 25, 2026, in connection with the incident. The department further informed court that he is presently being detained and interrogated for a period of 90 days under a detention order issued under the PTA.   

This was stated to court through a motion filed by the CID.   

During the proceedings, the Magistrate inquired whether sufficient evidence existed to name the retired officer as a suspect. In response, the CID stated that evidence had emerged during the investigations conducted so far.  The CID also requested court to place the suspect under judicial observation, noting that he is currently being held under a detention order.   

Court was further informed that two other individuals, including a former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of a police station in the Eastern Province, have also been named as suspects in connection with the investigation.   

A further report regarding the ongoing investigations was also submitted to court.