Retired President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka, Bishop Rev. Asiri P. Perera, has issued an open letter to Manohary Sallay, the wife of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay, who has been detained for more than 100 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over his alleged involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Responding to Manohary Sallay’s public statement describing her husband as “an innocent man suffering for no reason,” Bishop Perera acknowledged that a spouse’s loyalty is natural but urged her to allow the legal process to determine innocence or guilt.
In the letter, he stressed that due process should be respected and cautioned against making public declarations before judicial proceedings are concluded. He argued that such statements could undermine confidence in the justice system and appear dismissive of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks and the seriousness of the ongoing investigations.
The retired bishop also questioned whether political actors might be influencing the public campaign in support of Sallay, warning against allowing personal or political agendas to interfere with the search for truth.
He further expressed concern over calls for changes to investigating officers or procedures, stating that such demands could compromise the integrity of the investigation. Addressing Manohary Sallay’s regular media appearances while wearing a face mask, Bishop Perera questioned whether concealing her identity affected public credibility and suggested that transparency was essential in matters of national importance.
The letter also proposed that, in addition to family visits and legal consultations, spiritual guidance should be made available to Suresh Sallay through a clergy member of his own faith. Bishop Perera suggested that pastoral support could help him reflect on his circumstances and seek repentance and healing if necessary.
Concluding the letter, Bishop Perera said that if Sallay is innocent, the courts will ultimately clear his name. However, if he is found guilty, he warned that persistent public declarations of innocence could be viewed as an attempt to shield wrongdoing.
He ended his appeal by urging Manohary Sallay to place her trust in the judicial process, stating that Sri Lanka needs truth, accountability and justice rather than premature conclusions.
