Man-made forest fires on the rise in Monaragala; Ella fire extinguished

Colombo (News 1st) - Coincident to the prevailing drought conditions, reports of man-made forest fires in the district of Monaragala have been on the rise according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC). Assistant Director of DMC Ravindra Kumara stated that the arson incidents were reported from Horombuwa, Maragala and Kurugama reserves. He further stated that these fires were started with the hopes of farming and animal hunting. He highlighted that the DMC intends to work in unison with the police in order to have the suspects taken into police custody. Meanwhile, the fire that had been spreading across the Ella Rock Reserve for about three days was reportedly put out by the Wildlife Officers and the Army yesterday evening (August 23). The DMC stated that the damages caused to the reserve have not been assessed yet.