Massive stock of timber seized

Yasaratne GAMAGE

A massive stock of Illegally felled timber worth more than Rs 1.5 million was seized at four locations by the STF during past two days. The largest stock was taken into custody at Alabada in Pannala. The Rs one million worth consignment which included teak, mahogani, halmilla, nadun, acacia, jak and wara, was in the form of planks and logs.

Rathgalla STF officers led by SI W M M Piyatissa carried out the raid and arrested a person with the stock of timber.

He was handed over to Pannala police and will be charged for illegally felling timber and unauthorized stocking of same.

The rest of the stock,11 sandalwood logs was apprehended in Kalmadu Kattiyarkulam forest reserve in Vavuniya by CI Amarasinghe and a team from Vavuniya STF camp.

Meanwhile, another large stock of illegally felled sandalwood was recovered while being transported at Paranthan Junction in Kilinochchi. The stock was estimated at Rs 500,000. SI Piyathilaka and a team from Kilinochchiya STF camp blocked the vehicle and arrested two persons.