News Today: Ranil Wickremesinghe Denied Access to Pillayan

In a notable development in Sri Lanka’s political and legal spheres, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been denied permission to communicate with former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, who is currently in CID custody.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed the decision, stating that a member of Wickremesinghe’s security team had contacted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) via phone to request access for the former President to speak with the detained ex-minister. However, the CID rejected the request, citing the legal restriction on telephone communication with suspects held under a detention order.

The request’s denial comes amid the ongoing investigation into Professor Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath’s abduction and disappearance, a case tied to Pillayan’s April 9th arrest in Batticaloa. Ravindranath, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University, vanished under suspicious circumstances years ago, and the case has resurfaced with Pillayan’s alleged connection.

Interestingly, former MP Udaya Gammanpila was granted permission to meet Pillayan, but under very different circumstances. Gammanpila made the request in his official capacity as legal counsel, which CID accepted. The meeting was held under CID supervision at their office, strictly adhering to legal protocol.