One of them has been identified as 33 year old Ramesh Ramachandran of Katkulam in Vavuniya, BBC Sandeshaya reports quoting his sister Gauriraja Kavitha.

After going missing, he had called her once, in 2009, and only said he was in a Maldivian prison, the reason for which was unknown to her, said Gauriraja.

She said Ramesh had telephoned her from Welikada prison, where he is imprisoned now, and asked her to come and see him.

Some days ago, she had visited him at Welikada, said Gauriraja, adding that she could not say when he would be freed.