The suspect, ‘Cheran’, is said to have obtained political asylum in Switzerland and living in Zurich.

 

According to sources in Geneva, the permission of the Swiss authorities is needed for his deportation.

 

‘Cheran’ is said to be a follower of former east chief minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan.

 

A colonel in the Army intelligence, arrested over the forced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, is also implicated in the Raviraj murder.

 

On an order by the National Security Council, he has allegedly given the firearm used in the MP’s killing to Pillayan.

 

The ex-CM had had handed it over to ‘Cheran’, who had given it to Navyman Priyantha, who shot Raviraj.

 

Following the killing, Priyantha was taken to a state intelligence service safehouse by its PC Manamperi.

 

Both Priyantha and Manamperi are now under CID arrest. 

 

Police have also uncovered information about the three wheeler driver who had taken the gunman for the killing, and the motorcyclist who had helped him to getaway thereafter.

 

According to revelations made, Raviraj’s killing had been done at the instigation of a top personality in the former regime.