Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, has been further remanded until July 24 in connection with investigations into five murders reported in Batticaloa in 2008.
The order was issued by Batticaloa Magistrate Annathurai Darshini after Pillayan was produced before the court via video conferencing.
Pillayan has been named the third suspect in the case being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
During the hearing, the court examined allegations relating to multiple killings in Kallady, while witnesses gave evidence and defence counsel made submissions on behalf of the former Chief Minister.
The CID informed the court that the investigation is based on evidence linked to a series of fatal shootings carried out with T-56 firearms in 2008.
Investigators allege Pillayan was involved in the January 9, 2008 shooting near the Murugan Temple in Kallady, which killed two people, including a former police officer, the May 22, 2008 shooting on the main road in Kattankudy that claimed two lives, and the August 20, 2008 killing of another individual in Kothiyapulai, Vavunathivu.
After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that Pillayan remain in remand custody until July 24. A separate case involving a land dispute in Kallady was also postponed until October 29.
