Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillaiyan, was arrested on April 8th by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the investigation into the abduction and disappearance of Professor Sivasupermaniam Ravindranath.
Police say they have obtained permission to detain and question him for 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The arrest has sparked controversy, with many people suspecting that it is an attempt to make the PTA more acceptable to society. Legal experts argue that special laws like the PTA are not necessary to take legal action against individuals like Pillaiyan, who are accused of committing crimes with the patronage of the government.
Professor Ravindranath, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University from 2004 to 2006, disappeared in 2006. The CID launched an investigation into his disappearance that year and found that he had been abducted. Pillaiyan’s arrest comes nearly 19 years after the incident.
The Minister of Public Security also stated in Parliament that Pillaiyan is being investigated for his alleged involvement in the Easter Sunday attacks.
In a recent political interview, Minister Lal Kantha declared that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only leader capable of rescuing Sri Lanka from its worst economic crisis. He emphasized that no other leader at the time could have accomplished this feat.
Minister Lal Kantha praised Wickremesinghe’s deep understanding of the economic system and his unwavering commitment to his principles, positioning him as the most prominent figure to emerge within that system since J.R. Jayawardene. He asserted that even Chandrika Kumaratunga did not reach that level of expertise.
Upon assuming the presidency, Wickremesinghe took decisive steps to manage the crisis, and the current government continues to implement the program he initiated with the International Monetary Fund without any alterations, according to the minister.
Minister Lal Kantha acknowledged their existence when asked about Wickremesinghe’s past mistakes during the interview, but did not elaborate further.
Mohammad Nawufer, a key figure in the Sri Lankan cell of the Islamic State (ISIS), has confessed to his involvement in the deadly 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. In a series of interviews with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Nawufer disclosed his role in the planning, training, and ideological groundwork that led to the attacks, which killed over 250 people.
Radicalization and Rise to Leadership
Nawufer’s path to radicalization was gradual, beginning with exposure to extremist ideologies in Qatar in 2009. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that he fully embraced ISIS ideology, influenced by the preaching, lectures, and online content of Zaharan Hashim, the leader of the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ). Under Hashim’s guidance, Nawufer pledged allegiance to ISIS and committed himself to Jihad.
Nawufer revealed that Hashim sent a video to ISIS leaders in Syria, showcasing the allegiance of Sri Lankan ISIS members. Subsequently, Hashim declared that their group in Sri Lanka had been recognized as an official ISIS cell.
Hashim appointed Nawufer as his second-in-command, tasking him with recruitment, propaganda, and ideological indoctrination. Nawufer organized eight multi-day training camps, providing instruction in bomb-making, firearms, and religious principles.
The Rift and Aftermath
Weeks before the Easter attacks, a dispute arose between Nawufer and Hashim. Nawufer questioned Hashim’s leadership and security measures and attempted to resign, but Hashim refused.
Nawufer claims he last saw Hashim on March 9, 2019, and went into hiding after their disagreement. On the morning of the attacks, he was informed by another group member that Hashim had “executed a series of attacks.” Upon seeing news of the bombings on Facebook, Nawufer fled.
Nawufer’s Confession and Corroborating Evidence
Nawufer’s deep involvement was further evidenced by independent witness testimony and digital forensics. Nine individuals detained by Sri Lankan authorities identified Nawufer as a leader, and 13 witnesses confirmed a leadership breakdown within the group prior to the attacks. Social media and email records further substantiated Nawufer’s activities and allegiance to ISIS.
Significance of the Revelations
Nawufer’s confession confirms that the Easter Sunday attacks were not the actions of lone wolves, but rather the result of a structured, trained, and ideologically driven jihadist cell operating as a local arm of the Islamic State.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, a proposal for a land bridge project between India and Sri Lanka was once again put forward. However, the Sri Lankan government has not yet made any statement regarding the matter.
This is not the first time such a project has been discussed, with talks initially taking place in 2002 regarding a land bridge between Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, India, and Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka, potentially based on the Ram Sethu (Adam’s Bridge). The idea of establishing a railway link between the two countries also emerged at that time. Discussions regarding the land bridge continued under previous Sri Lankan governments, but no concrete action has been taken.
Despite the renewed proposal during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, Sri Lanka has remained silent and has not offered any immediate response. Meanwhile, political commentator Dayan Jayathilaka has raised concerns about a reported defense agreement between Sri Lanka and India, suggesting that Indian media has portrayed the agreement as more substantial than Sri Lanka claims. He emphasizes the need for Sri Lanka to remain an independent state and not become aligned with any particular power.
An FBI affidavit dated 11th December 2020 has definitively identified Zahran Hashim as the mastermind behind the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. The attacks, targeting churches and hotels, claimed the lives of 268 people, including five Americans.
The comprehensive FBI report, based on forensic analysis, social media records, and witness testimony, details how Hashim led a local ISIS cell in Sri Lanka and orchestrated the complex suicide bombing operation. Despite the gravity of this evidence, the affidavit has been largely overlooked in Sri Lankan public discourse, with attention often diverted towards speculative theories and political maneuvering.
The FBI’s findings highlight the need for Sri Lanka to confront the reality of the attacks and prioritize justice based on factual evidence, rather than succumbing to political distractions and conspiracy theories.
Egg and chicken prices have reportedly increased with the approach of the New Year season. The price of an egg, previously sold between 28 and 32 rupees, has now climbed to between 38 and 40 rupees.
Similarly, the price of a kilogram of chicken has also risen. Previously priced between 1100 and 1200 rupees, a kilogram of chicken now costs between 1400 and 1500 rupees.
On March 26, InfoSriLanka.LK reported that egg prices could rise during the festive season due to small-scale egg producers leaving the industry.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has defended the ongoing corruption investigation involving an elderly female relative of the Rajapaksa family, emphasizing that age will not shield those implicated in the misuse of public funds from scrutiny.
Dismissing criticism against the questioning of the woman, believed to be connected to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family, Dissanayake stressed that accountability extends to all individuals involved in concealing stolen state resources. He stated that the investigation focuses on recovering looted public funds, regardless of the age or familial ties of those involved.
While Dissanayake did not mention specific names, his remarks are widely interpreted as a reference to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probe into Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe. Investigators suspect that Wickramasinghe may have been used to conceal stolen public funds through her assets.
Dissanayake reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eradicating corruption, irrespective of political connections or family ties. Since taking office in 2024, his administration has initiated multiple investigations into financial misconduct and corruption linked to members of the former Rajapaksa regime, including probes into military procurement deals and the misuse of foreign aid.
President Anura Kumara Disanayaka has called for an all-party leaders’ meeting tomorrow (10) to discuss the impact of US tariffs.
Minister Bimal Rathnayaka announced on his X account that the meeting will be held at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow. He also mentioned that 12 opposition leaders had requested to meet with the President this morning to discuss the US tariff issue.
Meanwhile, some government members are criticizing Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, with Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe posting a derogatory comment on his Facebook account.
However, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha stated that President Disanayaka has already sent a letter to US President Donald Trump regarding the tariff impact issue.
Due to these statements from the government, many people have requested Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa not to attend the all-party meeting.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung have engaged in discussions focusing on advancing the US-Sri Lanka trade relationship.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Asela Wickramasinghe, the former chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha, for granting unauthorized approval for a construction project near Manik Ganga.
The construction is allegedly owned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
In a separate incident, a police constable has been arrested for allegedly misleading investigations related to the Easter Sunday attack. He is also accused of obstructing investigations into the murder of two police officers in Batticaloa in November 2018. The constable was attached to the State Intelligence Service at the time and was arrested by CID officers in Karadiyanaru.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated the new tariffs imposed by the United States and its impact on the Sri Lankan economy. He highlighted the potential trade war between the US and China, emphasizing the vulnerability of small economies like Sri Lanka in the face of such global economic shifts.
Wickremesinghe warned that the tariffs will hinder Sri Lankan exports, leading to factory closures and significant job losses. He also predicted a widening trade deficit and potential political unrest due to the deteriorating economic conditions.
The former President proposed several countermeasures, including the immediate implementation of the National Tariff Policy and the acceleration of discussions with the European Union for a GSP Plus agreement. He also stressed the importance of finalizing the ECTA agreement with India and implementing the Thailand-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.
Meanwhile, SJB MP Harsha de Silva suggested that Sri Lanka should join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to overcome the challenges posed by the US tariffs. He emphasized the need for a change in attitude and highlighted the potential benefits of joining this large economic bloc.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also expressed concerns about the negative impact of the US tariffs on Sri Lanka’s exports, particularly the apparel sector. He warned of potential job losses and a decline in economic growth due to the tariffs.
