Kochi: The Centre has dismissed reports that Fr Tom Uzhunnalil was released upon payment of ransom.

Union Tourism Minister Alfons Kannanthanam told mediapersons at Kottayam that the release of the priest was possible through effective diplomatic negotiations.

He said Oman had amended its earlier statement that Vatican had intervened in the matter.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Union Minister VK Singh told mediapersons that the government did not want to create a hype. The matter was dealt tactfully in association with the Oman government.

The priest who was abducted by Islamic radicals over a year ago in Yemen was released the other day.