Former MPs Urge President to Uphold Rule of Law in Letter Over Suresh Saleh Case

A group of former Members of Parliament has sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urging him to ensure the rule of law is upheld in Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to the treatment of former intelligence chief Suresh Saleh, who is currently in police custody.

The letter was sent amid growing public debate and concerns that Saleh may be facing unfair treatment while under detention.

In their communication, the former MPs stressed that Sri Lanka must not return to the dark periods of its past, referring to the killing of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) founder Rohana Wijeweera while in custody and the subsequent handling of his remains.

The signatories noted that the painful memories of that era should never be repeated in a democratic society and emphasized the importance of protecting legal rights and due process for all individuals, regardless of their background or position.

They called on President Dissanayake to carefully and objectively examine all facts presented before him and to ensure that former intelligence chief Suresh Saleh is treated as any other suspect under the law, with equal protection and rights guaranteed by the legal system.

The letter was signed by former parliamentarians Dullas Alahapperuma, Attorney-at-Law Dilan Perera, D.B. Herath, Dr. Gunapala Ratnasekara, Karu Kodituwakku, Dr. Tilak Rajapaksa, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Lalith Ellawala, and K.P.S. Kumarasiri.

The former MPs reiterated that maintaining public confidence in the justice system requires adherence to due process, equality before the law, and respect for democratic principles.