Is Tamil Businessman Abducted by Deputy Minister? (Correction)

(February 12, Negombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) "A wealthy Tamil businessman in Negombo was abducted while he was on his way home from his workplace last night (Feb. 11th), by supporters of Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, a newly appointed deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation in ruling SLFP government," top level political sources told the Sri Lanka Guardian.

The family of the businessman, identified as Wimalan has lodged a complaint with the Negombo Police, saying that he was seized by an unidentified group in a white van before firing shots into the air.

Wimalan owns ‘Thayalan,’ a video arcade and also runs a foreign currency exchange business in the Negombo town.

“No any army personnel involved with this case, it was led by the Deputy Minister,” sources told the Sri Lanka Guardian.

However of late, several disappearances, murders, abductions, and extortions targeting businessmen have been reported.

Many businessmen left the country after the situation worsened.

After UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne exposed in parliament about a group of extortionists, the TID arrested ex-Air Force officer Nishantha Gajanayake and several others.

MP Seneviratne claimed that this particular group was known to the Defence Ministry.

However, Nishantha Gajanayake and his accomplices were released on bail and subsequently acquitted of all charges against them.