Was Suresh Sallay tortured in CID custody?

A Five-member specialist board appointed to examine torture claims by Suresh Sallay  

By Bhagya Silva  

The Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday appointed a five-member specialist medical board comprising specialist Judicial Medical Officers and specialist psychiatrists to examine whether former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay had been subjected to torture while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.  

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect, Suresh Sallay, be examined before the next court date, July 1, and further directed that the medical examination be conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.  

The Magistrate also stated that the medical report previously produced before court in respect of the suspect was not a complete medical report and therefore it could not be concluded, on the basis of that report, that the suspect had been subjected to torture while under detention.  

Issuing the order, the Magistrate stated that the predecessor Magistrate had not referred the suspect to a specialist medical board through the Chief Judicial Medical Officer on the basis of a prior conclusion that the suspect had been subjected to torture while in detention.  

“I will read out the concluding portion of the 17-page order. The predecessor Magistrate, on April 22, 2026, ordered that the suspect be referred to a specialist medical board through the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo. On the previous court date, counsel appearing for the suspect submitted that, under Section 9(a)(3) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2022, the predecessor Magistrate had referred the suspect to a specialist medical board upon concluding that he had been subjected to torture while in detention. However, upon examining the predecessor Magistrate’s order, it is clear that the Magistrate did not refer the suspect to a specialist medical board on that basis.”  

“According to the predecessor Magistrate’s order, directions had been issued for the suspect to be examined by a psychiatrist, a nutritionist and an ophthalmologist. In that regard, the suspect’s mental condition had been examined by Consultant Psychiatrist C.G.K. Fernando of the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda, Mulleriyawa. That report states that the suspect had been subjected to psychological torture. It also states that no external injuries were observed on the suspect’s body. Further, the report states that the suspect is in a condition fit to face trial and is capable of understanding the charges levelled against him and participating in the proceedings. However, the doctor concerned has also stated that the report is not a complete report.”  

Accordingly, the Magistrate stated that a five-member specialist medical board would be appointed to examine whether detainee Suresh Sallay had been subjected to torture while under detention.  

“Accordingly, it is clear that the medical report produced before court is not a complete medical report. Therefore, no conclusion can be reached, based on these medical reports, that the suspect was subjected to torture while in detention. Accordingly, I appoint a five-member specialist medical board to examine whether the suspect has been subjected to torture.”  

“On the previous court date, the prosecution requested that the suspect be referred to a medical board appointed by the Director General of Health Services for an examination of his health condition. However, the defence objected to that request. Accordingly, in the interest of ensuring that justice is fairly administered, the court appoints an independent five-member medical board.”  

“Accordingly, the following doctors are appointed to the board, Consultant Dr. Thusitha Mendis of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital as Chairman, Consultant Dr. Chiththahari Abeynayake of the National Hospital, Kandy, Consultant Dr. Dasanthi Akmeemana of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Consultant Dr. Duleika Amarasinghe Was, and Consultant Dr. Vajira Dharmawardena.”