Pillayan Takes CID to Court Over “Unlawful” Detention Under PTA

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for June 17 to consider a fundamental rights petition filed by former Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, who claims his arrest and detention by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) violates his basic human rights.

The petition was taken up before a bench comprising Justices Mahinda Samayawardhena and Menaka Wijesundera. After reviewing submissions by legal counsel, the court fixed the date to examine the merits of the petition.

Pillayan has named several top officials as respondents, including Madhawa Gunawardena, Head of the Special Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID); Senior Superintendent of Police Imeesha Muthumala, Director of the CID; Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya; Minister of Defence Anura Dissanayake; and the Attorney General.

According to the petition, Pillayan was arrested on April 8 while participating in party-related activities in the Batticaloa area. 

He claims he was detained in connection with the 2006 abduction and disappearance of former Eastern University Vice Chancellor S. Ravindranath.

The former minister alleges that he is being held under a detention order without sufficient justification and that the conditions of his detention violate his fundamental rights. He further claims he has been denied adequate sleeping facilities and meaningful access to legal counsel.

Pillayan is seeking a Supreme Court ruling declaring that his arrest and continued detention are unlawful and in violation of his constitutional rights. 

He is also requesting that the detention order be nullified and that he be awarded Rs. 100 million in compensation for the alleged violation of his rights.