Former UNP member of the Matara Pradeshiya Sabha and his supporter have been arrested on suspicion of illegally carrying liquor inside a three-storey house in the Makawita area in Matara, Matara Police said.

It is said that the wife of the suspect is also a government employee in the health sector and she is a member of the Pradeshiya Sabha who was appointed by the Samagi Balawewa.

Police say that a gas stove has been used in a room in the unfinished house to filter the liquor.

Police have seized 20,000 millilitres of goda, 4750 millilitres of liquor and the equipment used to filter them in the possession of the suspect and his accomplice.

The raid was carried out according to information received to the police.