Nearly 20 acres of Ramsar Wetlands in Anawilundawa were destroyed by a fire before combined efforts of the army, wildlife officers and area residents brought the fire under control.
The Puttalam District Disaster Management Unit stated this was the second such fire over the past few days to affect the area.
Officials say that the fires spread rapidly due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.
The wetlands have long been habitat for local and migratory birds and environmentalists warn that such birds are facing a severe threat owing to the frequency of such fires.
The Puttalam District Disaster Management Unit suspects that a person or persons may have started the latest fire deliberately.
Text and Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Popular grade five tuition teacher, Hayeshika Fernando wanted over assaulting a 21 year old youth was granted bail today after she surrendered to courts.
First Bishop of the Batticaloa Diocese, Retired Bishop Joseph Ponnaiya, passed away today at the age of 74, following a brief illness.
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