Wanatha ill at ease over white van abduction

Saturday, 15 February 2014 

The residents in the Wanathamulla housing scheme staged a protest at Baseline road today (15) against the abduction of an individual by a group of people that arrived in a white van.

The abducted individual has been identified as Samaraweera Sunil, a resident of Wanathamulla housing scheme and a father of five.

The residents of Wanathamulla who gathered to Dematagoda railway ground commenced the protest this afternoon demanding the authorities to find him and bring him back alive.

The protesters alleged that Samaraweera Sunil was abducted in connection to the dismantling of their residences and removing them.

The Police Special Task Force was deployed in the Baseline road and even though the protesters dispersed STF officer remained in the location.

Attorney-at-law Sunila Watagala who is appearing on behalf of the residents regarding the dismantling of Wanathamulla housing scheme was also seen at the location.

He stated that security officials, who visited the area on the day before yesterday have met Sunil.

The protesters vowed that they will not stop the protest until Sunil was handed back to them.

DIG Anura Senanayake also visited the location and there was a discussion on returning the abducted individual within 45 minutes.

The protesters blocked the road again around 4.00 pm and dispersed after a while.

Meanwhile, the media reported that the abducted individual was released short while ago.

Abducted person released after Anura’s assurance

Sunday, 16 February 2014

The Wanathamulla resident, Samaraweera Sunil, who was abducted yesterday morning, was released late last evening after Senior DIG Anura Senanayake assured the protesting residents in Wanathamulla that Sunil will be released.

Sunil was abducted by a group of unknown persons yesterday after he was asked to leave his premises by an army officer and a senior Defence Ministry official. These officials have spoken and threatened Sunil the day prior to his abduction.

Sunil and the Wanathamulla residents have rejected an order by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) urging them to vacate their houses.
However, soon after the abduction, residents in the Wanathamulla area took to the streets in protest demanding Sunil’s release.

Senior DIG Senanayake who arrived at the scene of the protest first requested for 45 minutes to find Sunil. The residents’ responded saying they will not give up the protest until Sunil was given back to them alive.

After the lapse of 45 minutes, Senanayake then requested for more time to bring Sunil back.

He asked the protesters to accept his word that Sunil will be returned and that he assured his safe return.

Hearing the comment, one of the protestors shouted, “So you know where he is? Is he in your house?”