Four United Nations human rights mandates have raised serious alarm over the detention of Suresh Sallay, the former Director General of Sri Lanka's State Intelligence Service (SIS), who is currently held under the country's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The UN experts have cited grave concerns regarding alleged arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, interference with legal access, and deteriorating health conditions — renewing their longstanding call for a moratorium on the use of the PTA.
Who Is Suresh Sallay?
Suresh Sallay served as the head of Sri Lanka's State Intelligence Service under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. During his tenure, Sallay was widely associated with the use of the very same Prevention of Terrorism Act against political opponents, journalists, and activists. In a striking turn of events, Sallay himself now finds his freedom curtailed under the legislation he once wielded as a tool of state power. His supporters and critics alike have noted the irony that he has since called for the abolition of the PTA — a position he did not hold while serving in one of the country's most powerful intelligence roles.
UN Experts Express Serious Concerns
The four UN human rights mandates — which include Special Rapporteurs focused on torture, arbitrary detention, the independence of judges and lawyers, and the promotion of human rights while countering terrorism — jointly communicated their concerns to the Sri Lankan government. Their intervention highlights what they describe as a pattern of abuse facilitated by the PTA, a law that has long drawn international criticism for enabling prolonged detention without trial and undermining fundamental due process protections.
The experts expressed particular alarm over allegations that Sallay has been subjected to torture and ill-treatment during his detention. They also raised concerns about interference with his right to legal counsel, a cornerstone of fair trial guarantees under international human rights law. Access to independent legal representation is considered a fundamental right under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory.
Health Risks Add Urgency to the Case
Beyond the allegations of torture and legal interference, the UN experts have flagged serious concerns about Sallay's physical health. Reports suggest that his medical condition has deteriorated during his time in custody, adding another layer of urgency to calls for his situation to be reviewed. International human rights standards require that all detainees receive adequate medical care, and failure to provide such care can itself constitute a form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under international law.
The UN experts have urged the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that Sallay receives appropriate medical attention and that independent medical assessments are permitted. They have also called on the government to facilitate unhindered access to legal counsel and to review the legal basis for his continued detention.
Renewed Call for PTA Moratorium
The case of Suresh Sallay has provided renewed momentum for international calls to place a moratorium on the use of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act. The PTA, originally enacted in 1979, has been repeatedly criticised by human rights organisations and UN bodies for enabling the arbitrary detention of individuals for extended periods without judicial oversight. The law has been used against Tamil activists, Muslim community members, journalists, and political dissidents over the decades.
Sri Lanka has faced sustained international pressure to repeal or substantially reform the PTA. While the government has at various points proposed amendments, critics argue that the proposed reforms fall far short of bringing the legislation into line with international human rights standards. The UN experts' latest intervention underscores that the concerns about the PTA are not limited to any particular community or political group — the law's broad and unchecked powers pose a risk to anyone caught within its reach.
Broader Implications for Sri Lanka's Human Rights Record
The Sallay case carries significant implications for Sri Lanka's human rights standing on the international stage. The country continues to face scrutiny from the UN Human Rights Council over its record on accountability, transitional justice, and civil liberties. The involvement of four separate UN mandates in a single case signals the depth of concern within the international human rights community.
Sri Lanka's government has yet to issue a formal public response to the UN experts' communication. However, the case is expected to feature prominently in upcoming discussions at the Human Rights Council, where Sri Lanka remains under an enhanced monitoring framework.
Conclusion
The detention of Suresh Sallay under the PTA — the very law he once used against others — has drawn sharp international attention and renewed calls for fundamental reform of Sri Lanka's counter-terrorism legal framework. As UN experts press for accountability and the protection of Sallay's rights, the case serves as a stark reminder that laws designed without adequate human rights safeguards can ultimately be turned against anyone, regardless of their position or past power.