Two separate Police teams carried out thorough checks at the residence of UNP organizer and Southern Provincial Councillor Wijepala Hettiarachchi on Sunday night and in the early hours of yesterday.

Mr. Hettiarachchi told The Island that the policemen had told him that following information that a suspect by the name ‘Sarpaya’ (serpent) was hiding in his residence, that they conducted the search. "They even searched under the beds. This is a political stunt at a time when the Southern Provincial Council elections are round the corner," he charged.

He said the presence of armed policemen at his residence has mentally disturbed his wife and small daughter but such acts won’t discourage him from pursuing his political career. "I can only say that this was a failed attempt", he said.

The Councillor’s home was subject to a search around 9.30 p.m. on Sunday by a team from Galle Police and again a team from Colombo searched it around 5.00 a.m. yesterday. He said he would lodge a complaint against these searches with the Galle SSP Keerthi Silva.