SIS Chief calls on CID to investigate allegations by Opposition MP

By Asiri Fernando

State Intelligence Service (SIS) Head Major General Suresh Sallay, yesterday lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding a recent statement made by Opposition MP Nalin Bandara, calling on them to investigate the allegations made against him.  

According to Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana, Major General Sallay had filed a written complaint via his attorneys on Thursday (18) and visited the CID head office yesterday to register a statement regarding the matter. 

The CID has launched an investigation following the complaint and has begun securing electronic evidence from broadcast and social media regarding the incident, DIG Rohana added.   

“On 17 March MP Bandara had conducted a press briefing in Colombo where he had said that Maj. Gen. Sallay had met the main perpetrator of the Easter Sunday attack, Zaharan Hashim in Malaysia whilst he was working at the Sri Lankan High Commission,” DIG Rohana explained, adding that, in Sallay’s complaint he has stated that the allegation is false and that he has never met the mastermind of the attacks.  

The complaint also denies allegations by MP Bandara that Major General Sallay facilitated Hashim’s travel to Indonesia, Malaysia and India.  

According to DIG Rohana, Sallay has also rejected the allegation made by Bandara that he was not summoned to give evidence at the inquires and commissions appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday attack. 

Sallay has stressed that he was called before the commission and testified before them three times. 

“Major General Sallay has raised concerns that if the allegations made by MP Bandara goes unchallenged and is believed by the public, it would affect the reputation of the intelligence service and his goodwill,” DIG Rohana said. 

Further, the SIS Chief has highlighted that as a member of the Sri Lankan Malay community, such baseless allegations could have detrimental effects on his community and family.