Missing VC: CID probes LTTE link

Chandrika Perera

COLOMBO: The CID, investigating the mysterious disappearance of Eastern University Vice Chancellor Sivasubramanium Ravindranath, has uncovered that his temporary driver had maintained links with the LTTE. The Vice Chancellor is believed to have been kidnapped.

He was last seen by his family on Friday when he left his Dehiwela residence to attend a function at the BMICH. When he failed to turn up, the family complained to the Dehiwela Police.

He had received several threats from the LTTE, Police said.

The suspect now in custody has temporarily lodged in Kirulapone.

He was arrested when the CID, with Dehiwela Police, questioned several individuals who were associated with the Vice Chancellor.

He has admitted that he drove from Kirulapone to Dehiwela to pick up the Vice Chancellor and take him to the BMICH.

The driver had told Police that he received permission from the Vice Chancellor to get a tyre repaired and afterwards, when contacted, the Vice Chancellor had told him it would not be necessary to wait for him.

He also told them that he was not aware of the disappearance until the family members told him. Police are trying to corroborate his evidence.

As soon as hearing the news, President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered a full-scale investigation into the disappearance. Several such disappearances have been reported from Colombo recently.

Three groups have already been taken into custody by Police in Kollupitiya, Pettah and Grandpass in connection with kidnappings of individuals for ransom.