Udaya Gammanpila has raised concerns over the conditions under which former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay is being held, following a visit to the Criminal Investigation Department in his capacity as Sallay’s lawyer.

Gammanpila said he met Sallay at the CID after receiving a request from members of the former intelligence chief’s family. He claimed that Sallay was experiencing severe discomfort due to the conditions of his detention.

According to Gammanpila, Sallay’s migraine condition had worsened due to a strong stench from a toilet located next to the cell where he is being held, forcing him to double the dosage of medication he normally takes.

He further alleged that rats and cockroaches move across Sallay’s body during the night, adding that a previous detainee in the same cell had reportedly fallen ill after being bitten by rats.

Gammanpila also claimed that Sallay had remarked during their meeting that he might have received better treatment had he been captured by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The former SIS Director had also reportedly expressed deep distress over his treatment, stating that he had dedicated nearly 37 years of his life to serving the country, often at the expense of his family life.

Gammanpila said Sallay became emotional while speaking to police officers, noting that not only he but also his father, grandfather and two brothers had served in the military. According to Gammanpila, Sallay questioned whether this was how the nation repaid such service.

He further recalled that when Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, was previously arrested, he had warned that a series of events could unfold “like a film,” eventually affecting Sallay and later former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well.