CID probes Eastern Province crimes: Ex-Councillor ‘Iniya Barathi’ among two arrested

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting extensive investigations into a series of killings, kidnappings, disappearances, torture chambers, and extortion activities that took place in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province between 2005 and 2008. 
As part of this probe, a team from the CID’s Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Unit arrested two suspects on Sunday in the Thirukkovil and Sandiveli areas. 
The suspects are aged 44 and 45 and are accused of involvement in numerous violent crimes during that period.
Police said one of those arrested is former Eastern Provincial Councillor K. Pushpakumar, alias ‘Iniya Barathi’, a close associate of Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias ‘Pillayan’, who is currently in CID custody. 
Investigations revealed that Pushpakumar led an armed camp in Thirukkovil for the Karuna Amman faction after it broke away from the LTTE in 2004. He also served as Ampara District Presidential Coordinating Officer in 2007–2008 and was an Eastern Provincial Council member from 2012 to 2015.The second suspect is described as a close follower of Pushpakumar. 
Police alleged both men committed crimes under Pillayan’s leadership. 
Among the charges are aiding and abetting the killing of six people, including TNA MP Ariyanayagam Chandranehru on 7 February 2005 in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa; the murder of Johnson Jayakanthan, alias ‘Sindujan’, on 9 May 2007; and the assassination of Thirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Pillanayagam Udayakumar on 28 June 2007.
They are also implicated in an abduction on 27 July 2007, the murder of a Grama Niladhari couple in Pandirippu, Kalmunai on 20 April 2008, two further murders on 25 September 2008, and the killing of Rasaiah Kopulan with injury to his mother in Vinayagapuram, Thirukkovil on 21 November 2008.
CID investigators are examining whether the suspects had any direct role in setting fire to the Akkaraipattu Court House on 21 December 2022. 
According to the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) reports, Pushpakumar has previously been identified as someone involved in killings, kidnappings, operating torture chambers, and using firearms in the Eastern Province.