Former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan is likely to be charged for alleged involvement in the murder of two parliamentarians. Pillayan had been questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the murder of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Nadaraja Raviraj in 2006.
Pillayan was arrested recently by the CID for his alleged involvement in the murder of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham in Batticaloa in 2005 and has been detained till November 4.
The CID, it is learnt, uncovered during investigations that the weapon used to assassinate Raviraj in Colombo in 2006 was issued to Pillayan by Colonel Shammi Kumararatne attached to the Military Intelligence Unit. Col. Kumararatne is currently in the custody of the CID over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of Lanka e-news journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
The weapon that was handed over to Pillayan had been given to a former LTTE member called Charan. Finally the weapon was handed over to Navy Petty Officer Senevi who is accused as Raviraj’s assassin.
The Sunday Leader learns that Pillayan would therefore face inquiries into the assassinations of both Pararajasingham as well as Raviraj.
Pararajasingham was allegedly murdered by the Pillayan faction to ensure a change in the TNA’s Eastern parliamentary seats. Raviraj was allegedly murdered for his role as a Tamil political leader.
The Sunday Leader further learns that the CID has found that the Pillayan faction had carried out many assassinations and abductions with the assistance of the military during the former regime.
SL