Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as “Pillayan,” has been further remanded until July 24 by the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court. He was remanded in connection with a case involving a series of killings reported in the Batticaloa District in 2008, Ada Derana reporter said.

Chandrakanthan, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was produced before the court today (13) through video conferencing. The case was heard before Batticaloa Magistrate Annathurai Darshini.

The order was issued in relation to a case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over five murders allegedly committed in several areas of Batticaloa in 2008. Chandrakanthan has been named as the third suspect in the case.

During today’s proceedings, the court considered charges relating to five killings in Kallady, along with an additional charge. Witnesses appeared before the court, while two lawyers made submissions on behalf of Pillayan.

The CID informed the court that the investigations were based on information gathered regarding several killings carried out using T-56 firearms in 2008.

Investigating officers have identified Pillayan as a suspect allegedly connected to the following incidents:

• The shooting deaths of two people, including a former police officer, near the Murugan Temple in Kallady, Batticaloa, on January 9, 2008.

• The killing of two individuals in a shooting on the main road in Kattankudy on May 22, 2008.

• The shooting death of another person by an armed group in Kothiyapulai, Vavunathivu on August 20, 2008.

After reviewing the submissions and evidence presented, the Batticaloa Magistrate ordered that Pillayan be remanded until July 24.

The court also postponed until October 29 a separate case related to a land dispute in Kallady that is linked to the same incident.