Liyanage had made a written request to the IGP to examine the swimming pool, as media reports damaging to him have claimed money owned by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa were hidden there.

The removal of the sand began this morning, first using buckets, then by a backhoe from around 3.00 pm onward.

Liyanage claimed ownership for the pair of slippers found, but the CCD took them into its custody, as there was suspicion it belongs to Rajapaksa.

Our correspondent says the clay pots appeared to have been used for some sort of charm.