Mr. Mahalingam says he was abducted and tortured by a group claiming to be from the CID

The United National Party (UNP) said the group that abducted former member of Arachchikattuva Pradesheeya Sabha, Kadiragamapulle Mahalingam, in the Puttlam district appeared to have the backing of the government.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya over the phone Mr. Mahalingam told that he was abducted on 16 October by a group claiming to be from the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He was beaten, burnt and brutally tortured by the group asking how much he paid ransom to the police.

Mr. Mahalingam said he managed to escape with two others before lodging a complaint with the Mundalama Police.

"More abductions"

Relatives of Selliah Mahendran Ravi of Eluwankulama have lodged a complaint of abduction with Wanathavilluwa policed station on the first of October.

	MP says failure of police to take immediate action was 'highly suspicious'

Puttlam police have also received a complaint that Mohammed Marikkar of Karamba has also being abducted two weeks ago.

Both have not yet returned home.

Mr. Mahalingam told BBC Sandeshaya that "a Tamil boy from Eluwankulama and a Muslim boy from Karamba" were those who managed to escape with him.

UNP parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara told BBC Sandeshaya that the failure of police to take immediate action despite of being immediately informed by the family raises suspicions.

"Highest level"

MP Bandara, a former policeman himself, said the Udappuwa police station and army camp is situated "within 500m of the place where Mr. Mahalingam was abducted".

Family members of the abducted regional politician has lodged a complaint with the Udappuwa police, said MP Range Bandara.

"There are many other police stations on the way through which he was taken to the hiding place," he said.

After escaping from the abductees, Mr. Mahalingam said, he "was instructed by Mundalama police to go into hiding".

"The fact that the police failed to provide security and get him to the hospital and did not conduct a search despite information being available means there is a link at the highest level," parliamentarian Range Bandara, added.

Police spokesman, SSP Ranjith Gunasekara, told BBC Sandeshaya that police have not ruled out any possibility.

“The investigations are focused on whether it is a personal dispute, attempt to take ransom or the abduction was carried out by the police,” he said.