Vavuniya Police nets 'LTTE abductors', saves Insurance Executive

Vavuniya Police in a well laid security cordon arrested 4 individuals alleged to be LTTE operatives while they were fleeing in 2 motor bikes, along with an abducted civilian at Pomppaimadu area, Vavuniya on Monday (March 24) evening.

The abducted civilian was identified as Sumith Prasanna Manawadu, 39, an Insurance Executive at the 'Ceylinco Insurance' - Vavuniya branch. According to Police sources, the insurance executive was abducted by the LTTE while he was attending a Hindu wedding festival at Thirunawakulama in Vavuniya, at around 2.15p.m.

On receiving information of the incident Vavuniya police took swift measures: dispatched task units to the area and manned road barriers where the abductors were netted while fleeing at Pomppaimadu, and the insurance executive freed the police further said.

A LTTE operative has swallowed a cyanide capsule whilst been arrested and was admitted to the general hospital at Anuradhapura, the sources said. The Police have also recovered a pistol and a hand grenade which were in possession of the LTTE operatives.

Investigations continue as the arrested are believed to have involved in similar abductions of youth and business persons for ransom, a lucrative income for the terrorist outfit, Vavuniya Police said.

Thirunawakulam is located along the Vavuniya- Mannar main road, approximately 4km from Vavuniya town.