Investigators Yet to Receive Device Passwords From Suresh Salley

COLOMBO (News 1st); According to doctors, Former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley, who is currently being held under a detention order in connection with allegations of aiding, abetting and conspiring in relation to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, will require medical treatment until September 28.

The court was informed of the recommendation by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, who presented medical reports before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.

Notices had been issued at the previous hearing directing the Director of the National Hospital to appear before court and explain the failure to submit a report regarding Salley’s medical condition and the failure to provide records to the five-member medical board appointed to examine him.

Accordingly, National Hospital Director Dr. Sampath Indika Kumara appeared before court, while Additional Solicitor General Dileep Peiris made submissions on his behalf.

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris:

"Your Honour, the Director of the National Hospital is a public officer and requested the Attorney General to appear on his behalf. Accordingly, I am appearing for him. However, as I stated previously, I continue to hold the view that this is a medical conspiracy."

Additional Solicitor General Peiris further informed court that despite a court order, Suresh Salley had still not provided investigators with the passwords to his mobile phone and computer.

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris:

"He continues to maintain that he cannot remember the passwords. One of the most important qualities expected of a former intelligence chief is a strong memory. Yet he says he cannot remember them. The State has spent approximately Rs. 4 million on a cardiac procedure for him. He is now in Ward 42, which is a general ward. He was moved there only after we reported facts to court previously. Until then, he had remained in intensive care. At present, treatment is focused on his dental condition. We are told that the dental issue is related to his heart condition. He is enjoying exceptional comforts while under a detention order. However, we will see what happens after September 28. We expect that once that period ends, he can be brought to the Criminal Investigation Department and regular investigations and questioning can resume."

The Magistrate subsequently inquired whether Salley remained in a cardiac ward. In response, Dileep Peiris stated that treatment relating to the heart condition had been completed.

The Magistrate then questioned whether other patients suffering from dental issues were similarly kept in hospital for prolonged treatment.

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by Dr. Sampath Indika Kumara, Director, National Hospital, Colombo:

"Your Honour, even I was not aware of certain aspects relating to this matter initially. I sought clarification on it. The medical recommendation currently is that if the ongoing antibiotic treatment is discontinued, complications may arise in relation to the vascular procedure that was performed. The recommendation is that once the relevant treatment is completed, he should be released to a suitable environment."

President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for Suresh Salley, told court that the medical reports indicated that his client had been subjected to torture.

The Magistrate, however, observed that the medical report referred to mental stress and not to torture.

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris:

"As I mentioned previously, we intend to record statements from several individuals, including the Opposition Leader and Members of Parliament. We also invite journalists who may have information relating to this matter to come forward and provide it to investigators."

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, Counsel for Suresh Salley:

"We intend to study the medical reports and make our observations. Suresh Salley was an intelligence officer and, according to him, changed his passwords every two days. He said that he could not remember passwords used even a week earlier, let alone those used months ago. In those circumstances, not remembering old passwords cannot be considered unusual."

Here's an extract of the submission made to court by Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris:

"The Criminal Investigation Department asked for the passwords from the moment Salley was arrested. Initially he claimed that the laptop belonged to his daughter. Thereafter, he continued to avoid providing the passwords. Due to the presence of mind of the officer on duty, the laptop was taken into custody immediately. Otherwise, there would have been another attempt to evade the process. If he refuses to provide the password, other avenues remain available to us."

The Magistrate subsequently advised investigators to consider alternative measures in relation to the issue.

The court directed investigators to keep it informed of the progress of the inquiry, while the matter is due to be taken up again at a later date.