Author: TELO Admin

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court was informed today (22) that former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks and is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, has developed a condition known as enlarged heart and has had a medical device fitted to manage the condition.

The information was disclosed based on a medical report prepared by a nine-member medical panel assessing Sallay’s health condition.
The case against three suspects, including Major General Suresh Sallay, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was taken up before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Shani Abeysekara and Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appeared for the prosecution.

The court was told that Suresh Sallay has been hospitalized since June 7 and has been receiving treatment at the emergency care unit attached to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital.

According to the medical report, Sallay has an enlarged heart and a device has been fitted to control the condition. The prosecution also told the court that approximately Rs. 4 million in public funds had been spent on the device.

The Magistrate intervened when the prosecution referred to Suresh Sallay as an alleged “killer,” stating that he remains a suspect and has not been convicted of any offence.

The Additional Solicitor General subsequently apologized to the court and continued his submissions.

The court was further informed that Sallay’s cardiac and mental health conditions are currently stable and that he could be discharged once his dental condition is resolved. A medical panel is scheduled to meet on September 28 to determine whether he should remain hospitalized.

The prosecution also raised concerns over passwords to Sallay’s laptop and mobile phones, stating that the passwords had not yet been provided despite a court order. The defence argued that military intelligence personnel regularly change their passwords as a security measure and may not retain them for long periods.

The prosecution maintained that statements had been recorded from Sallay regarding the passwords, but that he had repeatedly stated that he could not remember them.

Defence President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando also criticized the ongoing investigation, alleging that investigators were now relying on statements made by politicians after failing to make progress through their own investigations.

After considering the submissions, the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered that a report on the progress of the investigation be submitted to court on October 21.

India has extended financial assistance of Rs. 300 million for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai for another year, its High Commission in Colombo said on Friday.

The latest assistance marks the third consecutive year of financial support from India for the ferry service, which resumed in August 2024.

“The financial support is being extended under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism, amounting to nearly LKR 300 million annually,” the High Commission said in a statement.

“The assistance is aimed at ensuring the affordability and operational sustainability of the service by covering key logistical and operational costs, on terms similar to the previous year.”

Since resuming in August 2024, the ferry service has facilitated the movement of around 52,000 passengers, significantly contributing to cultural, economic and social exchanges between India and Sri Lanka.

The service represents an important milestone in revitalizing maritime connectivity between the two countries, the High Commission said.

The continuation of financial support for the ferry service also aligns with the shared vision for enhanced maritime connectivity, as reaffirmed during the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in December 2024 and the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Sri Lanka in April 2025, it said.

“Future plans include rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai Harbour under overall Indian grant assistance of USD 65 million, as well as exploration of additional routes and services that could further expand maritime connectivity and deepen economic and people-to-people linkages between India and Sri Lanka.”

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera has called on senior Buddhist monks to request President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant him a fresh presidential pardon, after the Supreme Court invalidated the pardon previously granted to him by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Gnanasara Thera had been sentenced to six years in prison for contempt of court arising from his conduct at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court during proceedings linked to the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

The Supreme Court recently invalidated the presidential pardon granted to him by former President Sirisena. As a result, Gnanasara Thera faces having to return to prison to serve the remaining approximately five-and-a-half years of his sentence.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, reports emerged that Gnanasara Thera could not be located, with reports claiming that prison officials had visited his temple on Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, but had been unable to find him.

However, his representatives rejected the reports, maintaining that prison officials had not visited the temple and denying claims that the Thera was in hiding.

Meanwhile, Gnanasara Thera met the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters on 17 September.

He subsequently appeared before the Colombo High Court on 18 September in connection with a separate case filed by the Attorney General over statements allegedly insulting Islam. High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala ordered that the case be called again on 30 September.

Police have said they are awaiting the full Supreme Court judgment on the invalidation of the presidential pardon before deciding on further action.

Speaking at the launch of his book 9.5 Vikurthiya at the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Mandiraya in Thummulla, Colombo, on 20 September, Gnanasara Thera made a special appeal to the Maha Sangha.

He urged senior Buddhist monks to request President Dissanayake to grant him a fresh presidential pardon through the proper procedure, after rectifying what he described as administrative errors committed by officials when former President Sirisena granted him the earlier pardon.

Gnanasara Thera said he respected both the law and Buddhist principles, but argued that if there had been procedural errors, responsibility for them rested with the officials concerned and that it would be unfair to penalise him for those mistakes.

He said he was not afraid of returning to prison, but claimed that such action could discourage young Buddhist monks from speaking out on behalf of the country and the Buddha Sasana in the future.

Referring to the uncertainty surrounding his situation, Gnanasara Thera said he had even considered having a jeewa pansukula — a Buddhist funeral-type religious observance performed while a person is still alive — conducted for him in the presence of his 87-year-old mother.

Among those present at the book launch were Deputy Chief Prelate of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Prof. Ven. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Chief Secretary of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, other members of the Maha Sangha, politicians and representatives of civil society organisations.

Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) David Myers has assumed his position in September the US Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

“David brings extensive diplomatic experience across Asia and beyond and joins Ambassador Eric Meyer and our U.S. Embassy team in advancing the U.S.–Sri Lanka partnership.”

His appointment follows Eric Meyer’s as ambassador earlier this month.

Myers previous assignment was at Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia, where he served as Acting DCM and Political-Economic Section Chief.

Prior assignments include tours in Guangzhou, China; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Moscow, Russia, the embassy said.

Before joining the US Department of State, David was a lawyer specializing in antitrust law.

He worked for the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division in Washington, DC; the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in Melbourne, Australia; and various private firms.