Timber worth Rs 10m seized last month

Sandasen MARASINGHE

The Police Special Task Force (STF) seized timber worth around Rs 10 million felled illegally in various parts of the country during October.

The STF also seized two lorries, two tractors and eight hand tractors used to transport the logs and timber by suspects in the 20 raids during October. The STF also arrested 31 persons.

Some were arrested in forest reserves with the timber. The seized timber and logs were the most expensive varieties such as ebony, palu, kumbuk, satin wood, margosa, micro, teak etc.

They also seized other equipment needed to live in a forest without a shortage.

The STF also found equipment needed to fell trees and turn them into timber.

All productions and suspects were handed over to the range forest officers or the police stations.

The STF seized the timber and logs while patrolling and raids conducted following information received.

The raids were mostly conducted in Vavuniya, Kurukkalpudukulam, Tangalle, Maskeliya, Pottuvil, Trincomalee, Pulmudai, Kebithigollewa, Arugambay, Kilinochchi, Kandy, Anuradhapura and Hambantota.

The STF conducted four special raids in a forest reserve in Wariththal in Kurukkalpudukulam, Kebithigollawa Forest Reserve, Thaleiwaipulliyakullam Forest Reserve in Kilinochchi and in a forest reserve in Madiyawa in Eppawela.