Abductee turns up in Ranil’s office

A businessman reported missing and feared abducted for a day surfaced to tell police he was safe but reneged on the claim later and charged he was forced to make such declaration. Hemantha Nishantha, the man at the centre of a controversy over the car permit issued to JHU leader Ven. Ellawala Medananda Thera, last afternoon met Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and claimed that two JHU political leaders had forced him to make a statement to the Homagama police saying he was not abducted when in fact he was.

The businessman in an affidavit handed over to Mr Wickremesinghe claimed that the JHU members were responsible for his abduction and that he was forced to make a false statement to the police, Colombo district MP Ravi Karunanayaka reading from the affidavit said.

Mr. Nishantha who went missing on Thursday turned up at the Homagama police on Friday night and said he was not abducted, but had gone on a business trip. But Mr. Karunanayaka said Mr. Nishantha in his affidavit had given details of the abduction and implicated JHU Minister Champika Ranawaka and JHU member Udaya Gammanpila of threatening the businessman, a claim strongly denied by the JHU.

“Hemantha says in the affidavit that he made the false statement to the Police unwillingly due to the threats,” Mr. Karuananyake said. The abductors, Mr. Karunanayake said, had threatened Mr. Nishantha to bring back the vehicle which was once owned by Ven. Medhananda Thera, saying that if not, the consequences would be unbearable for him, according to the affidavit. Notice is to be given to Parliament by the UNP calling for the appointment of a celect committee on the issue.

Mr. Gammanpila denied the allegations. He said the vehicle was owned by Ven Medananda Thera and the vehicle was registered though the Opposition Leader travelled in the vehicle without the registration plate.

“This vehicle is a registered vehicle bearing no KH 1715. We have no connection whatsoever with the man who has been introduced as the owner of this vehicle. The vehicle was given to be used by a leading businessman in the country. This man ( alleged abductee) had asked for the vehicle to attend a function and taken it. The Leader of the Opposition has no authority to use this vehicle”, Mr. Gamanpila said. He said the party’s central committee will take a decision on Tuesday. “We will call a news conference tomorrow to explain our side of the story.”

The Sunday Times learns that the vehicle of Ven. Medhananda Thera had been given to a Kuliyapitiya businessman through a power of attorney. Customs officials explained that Under Customs Ordinance, violation of the laws governing duty waivers would result in the vehicle being forfeited and a fine three times the value of the vehicle would be imposed.

The party that disposes a vehicle and the party that possess a vehicle which is bought with a duty free concession are liable for punishment.