An urgent supplementary complaint has been lodged with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), alleging that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has committed serious violations of the fundamental human rights of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director, Retired Major General Suresh Salle, who is currently being detained and questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The complaint was submitted today (09) by S.B.M.S. Bandusena Salle, the wife of Suresh Salle, under reference number HRC-HO-1103-26, and has been addressed to the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission.
CID Presence at Hospital Bedside
Suresh Salle, who remains in remand custody, is currently receiving treatment for a heart condition at the Cardiac Coronary Care Unit (CCCU) of the Colombo National Hospital.
Lawyer Access Limited to 20 Minutes
According to the complaint, Salle is permitted to meet his legal counsel, Attorney-at-Law Asith Siriwardena, only once a week, with each meeting restricted to 20 minutes.
Alleged Violation of Lawyer-Client Confidentiality
The complaint further states that during a meeting held yesterday (08 July), CID officers stationed at Salle’s bedside informed Attorney Siriwardena that he would not be permitted to meet his client in private.
It is alleged that the officers remained present throughout the discussion, claiming they were acting on the “direct orders of higher authorities.” The complaint argues that this action amounted to a complete violation of lawyer-client confidentiality.
Right to a Fair Trial Raised
Bandusena Salle states in her complaint that the constitutional and internationally recognized right of every suspect to communicate privately and confidentially with legal counsel for their own protection has been unlawfully denied in this instance.
Requests Made to the Human Rights Commission
The complaint calls on the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to take immediate action over the alleged unlawful conduct and to direct the relevant authorities to ensure that Suresh Salle is granted confidential access to his lawyer without any intervention or presence of security personnel.
Call for an Investigation
The complaint also requests that the Commission initiate an investigation to identify the “higher authority” who allegedly instructed CID officers to remain present during lawyer-client consultations.
It further urges the Commission to intervene to safeguard Salle’s right to a fair trial, despite his detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
