The probe follows a complaint lodged by Kolonnawa mayor Ravindra Udaya Shantha, which says his brother had been kidnapped by a group in a white van, and that he too, was a victim of an abduction attempt.

Wellampitiya police had arrested four of the abductors, all members of the Army, but had been released.

The white vans had been rented, and there are details of four such vehicles, said the police.

Meanwhile, UPFA MP Mervyn Silva said that the white van terror was now a thing of the past.

He made the remark when he called on Asgiriya Mahanayake Ven. Galagama Attadassi Thera yesterday.