Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillayan")
Member, Eastern Tamil Alliance (joint alliance with Karuna Amman) · Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP)
Overview
- Status
- IN REMAND
- Current Case
- Murder (5 counts) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act - Kallady/Murugan Temple shootings (9 Jan 2008), Kattankudy killings (22 May 2008), and a Kannakuda/Kothiyapola killing (20 Aug 2008); reporting also references a police-officer shooting and a businessman abduction/murder within the same case
- Next Hearing
- 15 September 2026
- Last Verified
- 1 September 2026
The short version
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillayan") is currently in remand. Murder (5 counts) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act - Kallady/Murugan Temple shootings (9 Jan 2008), Kattankudy killings (22 May 2008), and a Kannakuda/Kothiyapola killing (20 Aug 2008); reporting also references a police-officer shooting and a businessman abduction/murder within the same case. Co-accused: Mohamed Sifan, Mohamed Sakeed, and Mohamed Faiz (at large, reportedly in London, subject to an open arrest warrant). Case filed 15 Jun 2026; further remanded 13 Jul 2026 and again to 15 Sept 2026. Next scheduled hearing: 15 September 2026.
How did we get here?
- UpcomingCase 2
Next Step Pending
Not yet scheduled ("coming weeks" per Aug 2026 reporting)
Court: Polonnaruwa High Court (indictment); Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court (earlier remand)
- 15 September 2026Case 3
Next Hearing
Co-accused: Mohamed Sifan, Mohamed Sakeed, and Mohamed Faiz (at large, reportedly in London, subject to an open arrest warrant). Case filed 15 Jun 2026; further remanded 13 Jul 2026 and again to 15 Sept 2026
Court: Batticaloa Magistrate's Court
- 1 September 2026Case 3
Remand Extended
Court: Batticaloa Magistrate's Court
- 15 June 2026Case 3
Remanded
Court: Batticaloa Magistrate's Court
Court cases
Conspiracy/murder - assassination of Tamil National Alliance MP Joseph Pararajasingham, 25 Dec 2005, St. Mary's Cathedral, Batticaloa
What’s happened
Arrested Oct 2015 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; indicted Oct 2017; the Court of Appeal ruled key confessions inadmissible (obtained under coercion); the Attorney General declined to proceed 13 Jan 2021; reportedly acquitted and discharged
- Court
- High Court (Batticaloa)
- Next hearing / due
- Not publicly confirmed
Sources (1)
Abduction, unlawful detention/torture, murder, and destruction of the body of Prof. Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath (Eastern University Vice-Chancellor), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Penal Code
What’s happened
Victim disappeared 15-16 Dec 2006, allegedly held/killed at an illegal camp in Sevanapitiya; body never recovered. Co-accused: Kathirgathambi Jeyakishan (Jeyanthan), Nimal Devsukan (Jeyakandan), Nadarasa Nagulendran (Simbu/Nagulan). Indicted 17 Aug 2026 at Polonnaruwa High Court. A separate Supreme Court Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of his arrest/detention had oral submissions concluded 2 Jun 2026; judgment reserved
- Court
- Polonnaruwa High Court (indictment); Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court (earlier remand)
- Next hearing / due
- Not yet scheduled ("coming weeks" per Aug 2026 reporting)
Murder (5 counts) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act - Kallady/Murugan Temple shootings (9 Jan 2008), Kattankudy killings (22 May 2008), and a Kannakuda/Kothiyapola killing (20 Aug 2008); reporting also references a police-officer shooting and a businessman abduction/murder within the same case
What’s happened
Co-accused: Mohamed Sifan, Mohamed Sakeed, and Mohamed Faiz (at large, reportedly in London, subject to an open arrest warrant). Case filed 15 Jun 2026; further remanded 13 Jul 2026 and again to 15 Sept 2026
- Court
- Batticaloa Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- 15 September 2026
Political career
Ministerial positions
State Minister
Dates not publicly confirmed
Other political positions
Chief Minister, Eastern Province
2008–2012
Member, Eastern Tamil Alliance (joint alliance with Karuna Amman)
2025–?
Member of Parliament
Dates not publicly confirmed
Founder-leader, TMVP
Dates not publicly confirmed
Party history
TMVP emerged from the Karuna faction in 2004. Pillayan became TMVP leader in Apr 2007. Earlier LTTE affiliation is an organisational/militant affiliation, not represented as a normal political-party interval.