Sri Lanka, Dec. 17 -- Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne yesterday ordered the remand till December 27 of two people who were arrested in connection with the controversial news media announcements during the presidential election campaign statements about "white van" abductions. The news media announcements were made at a news briefing conduced by former Minister Rajitha Senaratna.

Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Senior Superintendent in Police W. Thilakarathne informed the court that the duo had been arrested on December 13 in the Mahara area.

The remanded duo have been identified as Sarath Kumara and Athula Sanjaya Madanayake.

SSP W.Thilakarathne also stated that they had initiated an investigation based on ...