Ruwan Chandimal Depp was abducted by a group claimed to be policemen, says his wife

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana told BBC Sandeshaya that police in Warakapola has received the complaint of the abduction of Ruwan Chandimal Depp early Sunday.

Lakshika Shamali, wife of Ruwan Chandimal Depp, widely known as Navy Ruwan, told BBC Sandeshaya that police delayed recording the complaint of her husbands abduction Saturday evening.

"A group of armed people hiding nearby ambushed us on our return from Kataragama. One of those tried to shoot my husband and then my husband threw a stone at him," he said.

The abductors seriously assaulted Navy Ruwan until he lost consciousness and took him away in a van, she told BBC Sinhala service.

'Gotabhaya Sir'

"I could identify some of them who were freely going around Warakapola town on Sunday," She said.

We only know about one Gotabhaya Sir. We can only suspect the government   Lakshika Shamali, Navy Ruwan's wife

Navy Ruwan was named by media reports as a close associate of Defence Ministry Advisor Duminda Silva MP.

Duminda Silva is undergoing treatment overseas for injuries following gun battle that killed presidential advisor, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra on 08 October.

"When I was pleading with them not to kill my husband, I was told to visit the hospital," said Ms Shamali, weeping.

She said she overheard one of the abductors in the vehicle saying that he needs to take a call to "Gotabhaya Sir," in an apparent reference to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

"We only know about one Gotabhaya Sir. We can only suspect the government," she added.

But police spokesman, SP Ajith Rohana, told BBC Sandeshaya that the allegation is an "attempt to sling mud on police, security forces and the government."

The abductors have allegedly identified themselves to villagers at the scene as policemen, said Lakshika Shamali.

"He can be punished according to law if he has done wrong instead of torturing him," she said.

Residents of Ruwan Depp's hometown Hanwella who were protesting against the alleged abduction were told by police to disperse on Sunday, Ms Shamali told the BBC.