NPP calls for immediate dismissal of Salley

• MP Vijitha Herath says Govt. must conduct impartial inquiry against Salley and Pillayan
• Stresses it is absurd to initiate inquiry while Salley remains at his post 
• Calls on Govt. to initiate investigations into Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection to attack as well 

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) party yesterday called on the Government to immediately remove Major General Suresh Salley from his position as Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS).

This call was prompted by allegations made against Major General Suresh Salley in the Channel 4 documentary, accusing him of involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday attack. 

NPP MP Vijitha Herath said the Government must conduct an impartial inquiry against Salley and State Minister of Rural Road Development Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan who was also accused in the film. 

“It is utterly absurd to initiate an inquiry while Major General Suresh Salley, who faces allegations, continues to hold his position as the Director of the SIS,” he remarked.

“As disclosed by Mawlana in the Channel 4 video, it is evident that former Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillayan and Suresh Salley had direct links to the Easter Sunday bombers,” he added. 

The MP noted that photographs featuring Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mawlana, and Pillayan have surfaced, with Mawlana himself confirming the association with Pillayan. “The actual culprits behind the attacks remain at large because investigations have not been appropriately directed. These revelations shed light on the mastermind and the genuine motives behind the attacks,” Herath said. 

The MP pointed out that Major General Suresh Salley, who faced accusations of involvement in the attacks, was swiftly appointed as the Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) by Gotabaya Rajapaksa shortly after he assumed the presidency. He suggested that Salley’s appointment and the Easter attacks might be interconnected.

Furthermore, he asserted that investigations against Gotabaya Rajapaksa should be reopened since he is no longer the President and thus no longer enjoys immunity from legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the defamation lawsuit filed by Major General Salley against Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando for alleged defamatory remarks made during an online session was scheduled for a hearing before Colombo Chief District Judge Sandun Vithana on Monday (4). 

Salley had initiated this lawsuit, seeking damages totalling Rs. 50 million. The case was based on a statement made by Fernando during an online forum discussion held on 23 October 2021, concerning the 2019 Easter attacks and Salley’s alleged involvement in it.