The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday (15) informed the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court that former State Minister and former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, has been named as a suspect in a series of five murders carried out in the Eastern Province in 2008.
The CID reported the matter to court following a lengthy investigation into a string of fatal shootings allegedly carried out using T-56 assault rifles in several parts of the Eastern Province.
According to reports submitted to the court, the murders under investigation include the killing of two individuals, including a former police officer, at a playground near the Murugan Kovil in Kalady, Batticaloa, on 9 January 2008.
The investigation also covers the shooting deaths of two individuals along Main Street within the Kattankudy Police Division on 22 May 2008, as well as the murder of another person by an armed group in the Kannankudah area of Kothiyapola in the Vavunativu Police Division on the night of 20 August 2008.
The CID has identified three suspects in connection with the killings. Investigators informed court that the first suspect had fled the country before the commencement of investigations and is currently believed to be residing overseas.
The remaining two suspects had previously been arrested and questioned under detention orders issued by the CID from 13 August and 13 November 2025 respectively.
After being produced before the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the two suspects were ordered to be remanded.
The CID informed court that Pillayan has been named as the third suspect in all five murder cases.
He is currently being held in remand custody at Welikada Prison after being arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of former Eastern University Vice Chancellor Sivathamby Ravindranath.
The Chief Magistrate instructed the Superintendent of Welikada Prison to produce Pillayan before the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court on the next date fixed for the case.
Further investigations into the murders are being conducted by the CID.
