by Neminda Samarajeewa
Southern provincial council chairman Shan Wijelal de Silva said that President Chandrika Kumaratunga will be officially informed about an incident where six police teams had raided the house of PA Hambantota district provincial councillor Ajith Rajapakse in search of ‘Wambotta’, an underworld figure, wanted in connection with the killing of SPC minister M. K. Ranjith.

Opposition leader (UNP), Dr. P. M. B. Cyril said prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will also be notified about this raid.

Provincial councillor Rajapakse told the SPC sessions last week that six teams drawn from various police stations in the district and led by their respective OICs, had conducted the raid on his house on September 7.

He said on information gathered by him from the police, a powerful minister had ordered this raid.

Rajapakse said the long-drawn search began around 1.30 am and the police continued to search his house till about 5 pm. Without his permission, the police had entered his house and searched it, he claimed.

Denying that he either knew ‘Wambotta’ or had any knowledge about his whereabouts, the PC member called for an inquiry into this raid.

He said he got to know that Interior Minister John Amaratunga had visited the Tangalle police station that day after participating in the ‘Yuga Dhekma’ exhibition.

"I believe that he had ordered this raid", Rajapakse said.

Proceedings had to be adjourned after lunch due to the lack of a quorum. UNP member Bandulal Bandrigoda brought to the notice of the chair the absence of a quorum.

The SPC meets again on September 23 at 10 a.m.