Jan 19, Colombo: Former Squadron Leader of the Sri Lanka Air Force Nishantha Gajanayake, who is the main suspect in incidents of abduction and extortion of Tamils and Muslims, was released along with three other suspects by Colombo Additional Magistrate Ravindra Premaratne yesterday.

The Magistrate freed him and three other suspects, each on a Rs.50,000 bail and on a Rs. 2.5 million cash bond by two public servants, and impounded their passports. The police informed the court that no witnesses have come forward to give evidence.

Following a revelation in parliament by Badulla district UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne, Gajanayake was arrested by the Colombo Crime Division and detained for nearly eight months.