Sallay’s arrest a political exercise; Opposition

By Yohan Perera

The arrest of State Intelligence Services (SIS) Chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay seemed to be a mere political exercise, some opposition politicians said yesterday.   

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila told journalists that the arrest of Sallay was a ploy adopted by the government to shift the attention of the public in a situation where a host of other issues including the importataion of inferior quality coal was gathering momentum.  

“Sallay was to be arrested prior to the general election in 2024 but that was thwarted as he was cleared by the Imam commission appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Another reason could be the up coming seventh anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks next month. A similar exercise was witnessed last year as Pillayan was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks on April 8 last year,” Gammanpila said.   

“The pressure which is building up on the government to reveal the master mind behind the Easter Sunday attacks may have also led to the arrest,” he added.   

Former MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said the reason behind the arrest is not clear.