CID holds Azath Salley on three-month detention order

Muslim-Tamil National Alliance (MTNA) Leader , who was arrested by the CID on Thursday (2), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), is being held at the CID headquarters, in Fort, on a three month detention order obtained from the Colombo Magistrate.

Salley, who was continuing his fast, has refused to take even the medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. He was taken to Ward 55 of the National Hospital on Friday (3), but was returned to CID headquarters on Saturday (4) evening.

Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardene told The Island last morning (5) that Sally was now on a three-month detention order at CID headquarters.

Family members said that Salley’s health condition had deteriorated further and the government should take the blame if anything happened to him while in detention. Salley’s wife, Reinoza and daughter Ameena, were permitted to visit him whilst in hospital on Saturday (4).

Salley’s three brothers Reyyaz, Shabeen and Shameen, were not permitted to see him. Even UNP Parliamentarians Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, were not permitted to visit Salley. Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil was also refused permission to see him.

TNA Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran, who was allowed to see Salley in Hospital, said that his health was deteriorating and he had refused to break his fast and even take medicines. He visited Salley in his capacity as a lawyer.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem, who is Minister of Justice, said that the government should have acted with more restraint and that Sally’s arrest was an extreme step. He said that although he did not endorse Salley’s view, he had the right of free expression and that the law should apply to everyone alike.

The President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka N. M. Ameen has appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to release Azath Salley. (By Lal Gunasekera)

Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)