Poachers nabbed in forest reserve

By Jayaratna Wickremaarachchi

Seven men hunting in the Tabbowa forest reserve were arrested by a team of Wildlife officials on Friday, Wayamba Wildlife Director M. Amararatne said. The team from the Wildlife office at Aliwadiya in Ihala Puliyankulama arrested the men who were hunting in the Kiwulwewa area in the forest reserve.

The hunters were carrying six locally made firearms which were taken to custody along with three fishing nets and a tractor. The suspects are from Saliyawewa and Giribawa areas. Mr. Amararatna said there were attempts by some interested parties to influence the wildlife officers to release the men and the matter was reported to the Saliyawewa police.