UNP says police are afraid to take action against the culprits

Making a special statement, chief opposition whip, Joseph Michael Perera, MP, cited the abduction of the former regional politician Kadiragamapillai Mahalingam as an example.

Mr. Mahalingam was abducted and tortured before he managed to escape the abductees, the United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian said.

The abductions are being reported not only from the Western Province but all around the island, he said.

Widespread abductions

The government challenged the UNP to provide evidence with details rather than ‘generalising’ based on one incident.

Chief government whip, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, said an official at the UNP headquarters was accused of involved in abductions.

	Government accuse the UNP of helping LTTE propaganda

He also accused the UNP of indirectly supporting LTTE propaganda.

Noting that the said police officer was cleared of any wrongdoing by the judiciary, Opposition and UNP leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, urged the authorities to ‘behave in responsible manner’.

He mentioned few recent incidents of abductions in Colombo.

“Is Keith Noir, for example, a LTTE member? Namal Perera, a LTTE member?” Mr. Wickramasinghe questioned.

Is Keith Noir, for example, a LTTE member? Namal Perera, a LTTE member   UNP leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe

Mr. Noir was abducted and brutally assaulted while an attempt to abduct Namal Perera has been failed in Colombo.

Meanwhile, the eastern provincial council has received over 150 complaints of abductions.

Many relatives in their complaints have accused the political party of the chief minister, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), of being involved in the abductions.

However, Chief Minister Pillayan accused the criminal elements using TMVP and the LTTE for the abductions.