Pillayan Back To Remand Over Killings In 2008

by Zulfick Farzan 13-07-2026 | 6:45 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court on Monday ordered that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), be further remanded until July 24.

The case was taken up before Batticaloa Magistrate A. Darshini, with the suspect being produced before court via video conferencing.

Court proceedings were conducted in relation to three charges connected to five killings that allegedly took place in 2008, along with an additional charge.

Presenting facts before court, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) stated that the case had been initiated based on information uncovered during investigations into a series of murders allegedly carried out using T-56 assault rifles in 2008.

The CID informed court that Pillayan had been identified as being directly linked to several incidents, including the shooting deaths of two individuals, including a former police officer, near the Kallady Murugan Temple in Batticaloa on January 9, 2008.

Investigators further alleged that he was connected to the shooting deaths of two individuals along the Kattankudy main road on May 22, 2008.

In addition, the CID told court that Pillayan had been identified as being directly linked to the fatal shooting of another individual at night in the Kothiyapul area of Vavunatheevu on August 20, 2008.

After considering all submissions made before court, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be further remanded until July 24.