The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed three additional murder charges against former Eastern Province Chief Minister and ex-State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, at the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court on June 15. With these latest filings, the total number of murder charges against him has risen to five.
Pillayan is a former leader of the TMVP (Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal), a paramilitary group that split from the LTTE during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict. He has long been a controversial political figure, facing multiple allegations related to killings and armed activities in the Eastern Province during the late 2000s.
Details of the Charges
The newly filed charges relate to a series of shootings carried out in 2008 using T-56 firearms in different parts of the Eastern Province:
- 9 January 2008 (Kaladi, Batticaloa):
Two individuals, Shakthi and Ramesh, were shot dead at a playground near the Murugan Kovil. - 22 May 2008 (Kattankudy):
Two individuals, Shanthan and his bodyguard, were shot dead near the Seeni Maulana Mosque on the main street. Investigators allege that Pillayan ordered this killing after becoming angered by Shanthan’s claim at a public meeting that he had been responsible for the murder of MP Joseph Pararajasingham. - 20 August 2008 (Vavuniya District):
Alagathurai Dharmalingam (also known as “Podiyar”) was abducted from his home in the Kannankuda area of Kotthiyapola and later shot dead.
Legal Proceedings and Suspects
The CID has named three main suspects in connection with these incidents:
- Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan):
Alleged to be the mastermind behind all five murders. He is currently in remand custody at Welikada Prison in connection with another case—the killing of Batticaloa University Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Ravindranath. The Magistrate has ordered that he be produced before the Batticaloa court on a future date. - Razik Mohamed Faiz alias “Police Faiz”:
The first suspect, who is believed to have fled Sri Lanka with his family and is currently residing in the United Kingdom. The CID has requested the court to issue an open warrant through Interpol for his arrest. - Hamid Lebbe Mohamed Zahid and Abdul Kader Mohamed Sifan:
Identified as the principal gunmen in the attacks. Both have been arrested and were remanded after being produced in court.
Evidence Presented
According to CID reports, the suspects face serious charges under the Sri Lankan Penal Code (Sections 102, 113(b), and 296 read with Section 32) as well as provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979.
Key witness testimonies include:
- M. Hussain, a former LTTE intelligence member, who stated that a 17-member armed group—including a police constable—was used to intimidate civilians, extort money, and eliminate opponents for political purposes. He claims to have personally witnessed multiple killings, including those mentioned above.
- M. Rizwan, who testified that he joined Army Intelligence through the police in 2006 and had access to T-56 weapons.
- A. S. Kanna, a former associate of Pillayan, who confirmed that the group carried out numerous crimes under his direction.
- N. Jegadiswaran, who told the court that he had informed Pillayan in prison that Shanthan had been tasked with killing MP Joseph Pararajasingham.
Ongoing Investigations
The CID has informed the court that further investigations are ongoing. Reports have been requested from the Directorate of Army Intelligence and the Civil Security Department regarding the broader network allegedly involved in these killings.