Pillayan’s Inner Circle Targeted: Close Ally Arrested

COLOMBO (News 1st); A close associate of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a series of serious allegations involving abductions and homicides.

Police confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody in the Kalmunai area as part of an ongoing investigation into crimes allegedly linked to Pillayan’s network.

The arrest follows a string of revelations that emerged during interrogations of Pillayan, who remains in detention.

In a related development, former Eastern Provincial Council member K. Pushpakumar, also known as Iniya Bharathi, was arrested yesterday (6). Authorities also detained Sivalingam Thavaseelan, who was reportedly apprehended alongside Iniya Bharathi.

According to police sources, the arrests were made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979, based on information uncovered during ongoing investigations related to homicide cases.

The arrest of former Eastern Provincial Council member K. Pushpakumar, also known as Iniya Bharathi, is linked to a long-standing investigation into a high-profile disappearance.

On December 15, 2006, Professor S. Ravindranath, the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University, was abducted in Colombo and subsequently went missing. In connection with this case, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan—a former State Minister and leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP)—was arrested by the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on April 8 at his office in Batticaloa.

Following his arrest, Pillayan was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for a period of three months.

The arrest of Iniya Bharathi was based on information revealed during interrogations of Pillayan.

Iniya Bharathi, whose full name is Kumaraswamy Pushpakumar, is considered a close associate of Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan). He was formerly a frontline leader of the LTTE and later aligned himself with the Karuna faction.

Between 2005 and 2009, he was allegedly involved in several abductions and enforced disappearances in the areas of Thirukkovil and Vinayagapuram. In 2011, the United Nations accused him of involvement in child recruitment and disappearances.

During the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Iniya Bharathi held the position of Coordinating Secretary and also served as a district organizer for the ruling party at the time.

Currently, he serves as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organizer for the Ampara District.

Investigations surrounding former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan), who is currently in remand custody, have continued in recent days, particularly focusing on his office in Batticaloa.

These operations have been conducted with the participation of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Special Task Force (STF).

According to police reports, a significant collection of documents was recovered during the search of Pillayan’s office. Additionally, several mobile phones and a satellite phone were seized.

The CID-led investigations have reportedly uncovered a substantial amount of information. During interrogations, several details have emerged regarding multiple alleged homicides said to have been committed by Pillayan.

Among the incidents uncovered is the 2008 shooting and killing of a police officer and a civilian in the Batticaloa area.

In addition, police have revealed that in 2008, a member of Pillayan’s organization was involved in the fatal shooting of an individual in the Kattankudy area. At the time of the incident, the victim was reportedly serving with the military intelligence unit.

The individual was shot while traveling on a motorcycle with another person. Both individuals died as a result of the shooting.

Furthermore, investigations have revealed the murder of a businessman during the 2007–2008 period. This incident occurred in the Batticaloa region, where the victim was reportedly shot while traveling by boat through a lagoon area.

These murders were uncovered in addition to the case involving the disappearance and suspected killing of Professor Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath, the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University.

Investigations have also revealed that Pillayan operated several camps across the Eastern Province. It has been further discovered that these camps were allegedly used to detain individuals who opposed him.

The inspection of these camps is currently being carried out under the supervision of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

It is against this backdrop that Iniya Bharathi, considered a close associate of Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan), has been taken into custody.