Pillayan further remanded

Saturday, 25 July 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, was yesterday further remanded until 4 August by the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court in connection with a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigation into five murders allegedly committed in the Batticaloa District in 2008.

Chandrakanthan, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was produced before the court via video conference.

The CID has filed proceedings naming Chandrakanthan as the third accused in a case relating to five killings allegedly committed in several areas of the Batticaloa District in 2008.

The proceedings before Batticaloa Magistrate Annathurai Darshini covered three charges relating to five homicides reported in Kallady and a further related charge.

Witnesses testified before the court, while Chandrakanthan was represented by two attorneys-at-law.

After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that Chandrakanthan be further remanded.

The court also postponed a separate Kallady land dispute case until 29 October. An arrest warrant remains in force against the first accused, who is currently overseas.

According to the CID, the investigation was launched following information relating to a series of murders allegedly carried out using T-56 assault rifles in 2008.

The allegations include the shooting deaths of two individuals, including a former police officer, near the Kallady Murugan Temple in Batticaloa, the killing of two persons on the main road in Kattankudy on 22 May 2008, and the shooting death of another individual in Kothiyapulai, Vavunathivu, on 20 August 2008.