Several suspects have been taken into custody in connection with setting fire to forests in Matale, said district forest officer Asoka Herath.
Already, around 300 hectares of forest cover have been destroyed in man-made fires, he said.
According to him, people set fire to forests for hunting, to drive wild elephants away and for various other reasons.
Fire at Thabbowa forest reserve
Meanwhile, a fire erupted at Thabbowa forest reserve in Saliyawewa yesterday (16) afternoon.
It was brought under control by police, army and forest officers.
Around 50 acres of the reserve have been burnt by the blaze triggered by an unknown cause.
(lankadeepa.lk)
