Salley should be arrested – Minister 4 days ago ; Pistol found in Salley’s vehicle yesterday – Police

Former Governor of the Western Province and the Leader of the National Unity Front, Azath Salley was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (16) in connection with the 21^st April Easter Sunday attacks, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

The Police Spokesman said that Salley has been arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

When investigating, a foreign-made pistol with ammunition was found by the CID in Salley’s vehicle, the Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana added.

He also said that the Former Governor Salley is to be retained under the provisions of the PTA, to investigate the incidents related to Easter Attacks and that the CID is conducting further investigations.

According to media, at  a press conference on 9^th March, the NUF leader Azath Salley sparked controversy both in and out of the political arena, stating that they obey Muslim rules only and that they don’t care about the law of the country.

The Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana had stated that a five member police CID team led by an ASP would inquire into this highly controversial statement by the Former Governor Salley.

The Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara also stated on 13^th that Azath Salley should be arrested. The Minister further stated that he has instructed the CID personally to take necessary actions to arrest salley.

On the same day, 13^th March, the NUF leader Azath Salley had also called a press, reasoning for the emerged controversy from his press conference on 9th March.

He stated that he has never said to disrespect or not to abide by the law of the country and that it is not mentioned in their religion to disrespect the law of the country, or to act against it.