25.6.2008

Clarifying reports that claimed that an EPDP leader of Eravur was in Police custody, the OIC of the Eravur Police alleged that he was detained in connection with the abduction of a businessman.

Speaking to www.news.lk OIC S.B. Rathanayake said that a businessman named Devadas Suresh (31) has been abducted and later assaulted at the Eravur EPDP office.

Police investigating the complaint made by family members of Mr. Suresh has taken the suspected into custody for questioning, the OIC added.

According to Eravur Police the suspected, Darmalingam Illamaram alias Ravi, is alleged to have touched Mr. Suresh for ransom. Earlier the EPDP office has taken a motorbicycle owned by Mr. Suresh by force.

A second motorcycle had been demanded, apparently, and since this was not given, Mr. Suresh had been abducted along with the bike.

The suspect has also been accused of committing a murder at an earlier incident in Chenkaladi.

"The EPDP member is attached to the Eravur office of the party not to Vakarai," the OIC added, correcting earlier reports in certain media.