– The mother of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director, Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay broke down in tears today as she addressed the ongoing Satyagraha opposite the Fort Railway Station, condemning what she described as the treatment meted out to her son and urging authorities to act with compassion.

Speaking to supporters and the media, she said the public’s affection towards her son reflected the service he had rendered to the country and questioned the suffering being inflicted on him and his family.”I am not merely praising my own child. Go to Nugegoda and ask the people how much they love him. If the public loves him that much, imagine the pain of the mother who gave birth to him. I may remain silent, but there is a fire burning inside my heart,” she said.

Referring to allegations levelled against Sallay, she said she had entrusted her son’s fate to God and remained confident that the truth would eventually emerge.”I have been a believer all my life. I pray every day and leave my son in God’s hands. God knows everything about him,” she said.”People can walk freely today because intelligence officers provided the information needed to protect this country. My son never sought publicity. He worked silently from the shadows and carried out his duties,” she said.peaking emotionally about the impact of her son’s detention, she said she continues to struggle with the reality of his absence.

Condemning what she described as the manner in which her son was being treated, she said, “This is a sin that even God and the Buddha will not tolerate.”