The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched investigations to arrest six gunmen who had served under former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, known as Pillayan, over allegations of abductions, disappearances, and shootings in the region.
According to the state-run Silumina newspaper, information about the group was revealed during lengthy interrogations of Pillayan and former Eastern Provincial Council member K. Pushpakumar, also known as Iniyabarathi.
On the basis of these disclosures, two suspects linked to recent shootings in Madakalapuwa and Keselwatta, Colombo, were arrested last week.
Investigators suspect that an armed group operated by Pillayan during 2007–2008 was allegedly responsible for a series of assassinations of politicians, government officials, and civilians, as well as abductions and enforced disappearances in the Eastern Province. (Islandnews)
