Jan 31, Colombo: Two timber dealers who had been abducted last night were found shot dead at Akkaraipattuwa this morning. Police have found the two bodies around 5.a.m. lying close to the Akkaraipattuwa divisional secretariat.

According to the police sources the two dealers were abducted last night while returning from visiting saw mills in the area. The two victims were residents of Welimada and Uwa Paranagma.

Earlier also, several outside businessmen were killed while engaged in business activities in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts. Speculations are that the armed gangs operating under the breakaway “Pillaian group” are behind these murders.