No Clue On Missing UPFA PS Membe
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
Perpetrators of many of the abductions that took place in the country have still not been apprehended.
Controversy surrounds the abduction of a governing party councilor of the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha… 29-year-old Pradeshiya Sabha member Lakmini Anupama Panditharatne was abducted in Thebuwana, Warakagoda by an unidentified group when she was returning home from the temple around 7 pm last Sunday. The police say that there are several theories over Panditharatne’s abduction. It has been speculated that Panditharatne was abducted by a group of persons who were angry with her for failing to grant them employment after collecting money from them. It was also speculated that she had eloped with her paramour. The police however are yet to make any headway in the investigation into Panditharatne’s abduction although the Thebuwana and Bulathsinhala police were both inquiring into the incident.
Police Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that investigations were continuing but the police have been unable to find any leads. Rohana confirmed that there had been several complaints made to the police by various persons against Panditharatne claiming she had collected money from them promising jobs. He said the police were investigating into those complaints as well. “It was also speculated that she had gone with a man she was having an affair with,” he said.
According to Rohana, Panditharatne is believed to have had an affair with another man since an analysis into her mobile phone records has indicated a certain pattern. “She had made several calls to that particular number that day and even during the time of the alleged abduction she had made a call to the number,” he said. Nevertheless, when The Sunday Leader inquired if the police have still been unable to make any headway, Rohana said that investigations are still being carried out. “We still don’t know what had happened,” he added. When inquired about the investigation last Thursday (24), Rohana informed The Sunday Leader that Panditharatne’s family had informed the police that she had made a telephone call to a friend saying she was going to return within the course of the day.
However, even by Thursday night, she had not returned home. Panditharatne’s mobile phone number that had been given to the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha was switched off when The Sunday Leader called it. Panditharatne’s father said the family was still waiting to hear some news about her.
“The police say that they don’t know what has happened,” H. Panditharatne said. He said there was suspicion among family members about Panditharatne’s abduction although they could not point out any suspects. “She is a politician dedicated to her work and this could be a politically motivated action,” he said.
Police Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that investigations were continuing but the police have been unable to find any leads. Rohana confirmed that there had been several complaints made to the police by various persons against Panditharatne claiming she had collected money from them promising jobs. He said the police were investigating into those complaints as well. “It was also speculated that she had gone with a man she was having an affair with,” he said.
According to Rohana, Panditharatne is believed to have had an affair with another man since an analysis into her mobile phone records has indicated a certain pattern. “She had made several calls to that particular number that day and even during the time of the alleged abduction she had made a call to the number,” he said. Nevertheless, when The Sunday Leader inquired if the police have still been unable to make any headway, Rohana said that investigations are still being carried out. “We still don’t know what had happened,” he added. When inquired about the investigation last Thursday (24), Rohana informed The Sunday Leader that Panditharatne’s family had informed the police that she had made a telephone call to a friend saying she was going to return within the course of the day.
However, even by Thursday night, she had not returned home. Panditharatne’s mobile phone number that had been given to the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha was switched off when The Sunday Leader called it. Panditharatne’s father said the family was still waiting to hear some news about her.
“The police say that they don’t know what has happened,” H. Panditharatne said. He said there was suspicion among family members about Panditharatne’s abduction although they could not point out any suspects. “She is a politician dedicated to her work and this could be a politically motivated action,” he said.
