Manori Sallay, the wife of former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, has alleged that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) admitted before the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to conducting a highly invasive physical search on her husband while he was in custody.
Speaking to the media after a Human Rights Commission hearing, she claimed the CID acknowledged removing Suresh Sallay from his detention cell, stripping him naked in front of others, and carrying out a deep rectal examination while he was handcuffed.
According to Manori Sallay, the CID had previously denied the allegations since the incident reportedly occurred on March 8. However, she said the department formally admitted to the procedure during the recent Human Rights Commission inquiry.
She stated that the Commission subsequently requested the CID to submit CCTV footage related to the incident, identify the officers involved, and provide the official guidelines governing such search procedures.
Manori Sallay further alleged that her husband was transferred to a special detention cell after being remanded and medically examined, and that the alleged mistreatment occurred following that transfer.
She also raised concerns about his detention conditions, claiming he is being held in a small, poorly ventilated cell, subjected to continuous lighting, and forced to endure harsh living conditions that have negatively affected his health.
According to her, Suresh Sallay’s physical condition has deteriorated significantly, with ongoing health complications and severe weakness while in custody.
She added that letters detailing the alleged human rights violations had been sent to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on two occasions, requesting intervention, but the family has yet to receive a response.
The allegations were made by Manori Sallay, and no official response from the CID regarding the claims has been reported so far.
