Fire destroys 50 acres of forest in Somawathi Reserve

By Madura Ranwala

Around 50 acres of forest was destroyed by a fire which broke out yesterday morning in the Somawathi Forest Reserve, near the Somawathi Chaitya in Polonnaruwa, according to Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre Sarath Lal Kumara.

He told The Island yesterday evening that they sought the help of Higurakgoda Air Force base to douse the fire as it was spreading rapidly in the Pulasthipura police area. It was brought under control after the Air Force stepped in.

The causes of the fires had not been established and no one had been harmed, he said.

The investigations were being conducted by the Pulasthipura police and special police personnel were deployed to nab those who had caused the fire for various reasons, Lal Kumara said.

He said that three suspects were arrested in Badulla (one) and Monaragala (two), three weeks ago.

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