The police are on the hunt for a close associate of Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan and who is alleged to have been involved in the abduction and brutal murder of a six-year-old child in Trincomalee last week, a senior official said yesterday.
The suspect identified only as Suranga is alleged to have transported the limp corpse in a vehicle belonging to the Chief Minister’s office, the official who did not wished to be named, said.
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The police search has now spread to neighbouring Batticaloa after the suspect is believed to have taken refuge in the area, he said.
Chief Minister Pillayan has vehemently denied that any of his known associates were either directly on indirectly involved in the incident. The gruesome killing sent a chill throughout the district amidst calls from the public to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.
Six-year-old Varsha Jude Reggie was abducted from her school gate in the Trincomalee town and later killed in a botched up ransom bid. Her body was found two days later on a street in the town.
The police later arrested five persons in this connection. One suspect was shot dead by police while he attempted to retrieve a concealed weapon. A second suspect died after swallowing cyanide while being questioned by police.
Meanwhile Eastern Province Police Chief DIG Ananda Hettiarachchi commended his police officers for the quick action taken to apprehend the suspects and had a special word of praise for SSP Vass Gunawardene who led the investigations.
DIG Hettiarachchi made this observation at a ceremony to mark the 145th Police Day. |
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