By Newswire Editorial
A suspect has been arrested for allegedly clearing protected forest land and cultivating cannabis at two locations inside the Somawathiya National Park.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the illegal cannabis plantations were discovered during a joint raid conducted on November 02 in a protected area above Dozer Pitiya in the national park.
The plantations covered approximately 1.5 acres, with half an acre cleared at one location and one acre at another.
The raid was carried out jointly by officers from the Kantale Wildlife Office, Kaudulla National Park and Sri Lanka Army Intelligence.
Wildlife officials said two other suspects fled the area during the operation.
The arrested suspect was produced before the Hingurakgoda Court on November 04 and remanded until November 13.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation said further investigations are underway. (Newswire)