Azath Salley arrested
Leader of the Muslim-Tamil National Alliance (MTNA) Azath Salley was arrested by a team of CID officers yesterday morning from his daughter’s residence at Gamini Road, Kolonnawa.
Police spokesman SSP Buddhika Siriwardene told The Island that Salley had been arrested on ‘several complaints’ and was being questioned by the CID. Attorneys-at-law Shiraz Noordeen and A. Mohideen went to the CID to assist Salley.
Later in the day, the Defence Ministry said that Salley had been taken in under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Later in the morning, he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital under police guard, but after undergoing a check up, he was taken back to the CID office for further questioning.
Azath Salley’s family members said that STF and CID officers had surrounded his daughter’s residence at about 5.30 a.m. yesterday and Salley had surrendered to the CID at 7.45 a.m. He was then taken to CID Headquarters in Fort. His family was with him at the time of his arrest.
A relative of Sally told The Island condemned the police action and said his family was still in mourning for their mother who died 15 days back.
The one-time UNP Deputy Mayor of Colombo, Salley contested the last Local Government (LG) election successfully for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) on the UPFA ticket. He was an unsuccessful candidate at the Eastern Provincial Council elections for the Batticaloa District from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) thereafter. Following the twin reversals he teamed up with the MTNA.
Several Opposition Parliamentarians, including Lakshman Kiriella (UNP), Dr. Harsha de Silva (UNP), S. Swaminathan (UNP) and Leader of the New Left Front (NLF) Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne visited the residence of Salley’s daughter at Kolonnawa.
UNP Colombo District Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake, condemning Salley’s arrest, said that the outspoken politician had stood by his community and resisted the government’s anti-democratic acts. He said that anyone who spoke against the Mahinda Rajapaksa Regime faced harassment and that Salley’s arrest was a travesty of justice.
Karunanayake questioned what the government was doing against Kumaran Pathmanathan alias ‘KP’, the LTTE leader and S. Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pillayan’.
(Courtesy: The Island)
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This is definitely a step in the right direction. My Sally was attempting to merge the Moslem and Tamil speaking citizens in an uprising similar to that of the deceased Mr VP.
Our nation should be on the lookout for such divisive elements all the time. These guys are merely interested in power and leadership and would sell anything to get there.
The Defenece Minsitry is doing a great job under Mr GR’s leadership and Hon Duminda Silav’s supervision. Now that Hon DS had made a grand entry back to leadership, protection of the Sinhala Buddhist citizens is assured.
Duminda has made a great comeback that will be welcomed by all. What was intended to be a simple low key exit from the hospital turned out to be the highlight of the year due to the sheer exuberance of his supporters and the unprecedented media coverage he continues to draw the massess towrds his charming personality.
ONE MEN SHOW IN SRI LANKA