By Marlon Dale Ferreira
In a development that has sparked both legal interest and political speculation, former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila has stepped into the spotlight by taking on the legal defense of former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, better known as Pillayan. What began as a routine request has now raised eyebrows, as Gammanpila, a seasoned politician and lawyer, has been granted direct access to meet his client—who remains in custody under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Pillayan, once a fierce Eastern Province political figure and former Tamil militant leader, now finds himself at the center of a high-stakes investigation into the abduction and disappearance of a former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University. While many in the political arena watch with unease, Gammanpila’s presence in the case adds a new layer of complexity and curiosity.
Though this legal visit is grounded in his professional capacity, the broader implications haven’t gone unnoticed. In a country where the overlap of politics and legal maneuvering is not uncommon, the move has fueled speculation about hidden alliances and strategic repositioning. Gammanpila, known for his sharp rhetoric and nationalist stance, aligning himself as Pillayan’s defender, has inevitably stirred political conversations beyond the courtroom.
The CID’s investigations have long remained tight-lipped, with Pillayan’s detainment seen by some as a necessary reckoning, and by others as a politically tinged move. With Gammanpila’s involvement, the narrative now risks becoming more than just legal, it veers into the symbolic.
In Sri Lanka, where political loyalty often blurs with legal advocacy, the entry of a high-profile figure into a criminal case rarely goes unnoticed. Is Gammanpila’s move an earnest bid to ensure due process, or is it a calculated step into a larger political drama?
Whatever the reason, his meeting with Pillayan is now more than a legal courtesy, it’s a signal. And in a country where every gesture is examined for hidden meanings, this latest chapter leaves many wondering whether justice is being served or whether the scales are already tilting in the shadows.
