Damith Fonseka arrested

Two individuals, including Damith Fonseka, son of veteran film actor Gamini Fonseka, were arrested by Sigiriya Wildlife officers on Saturday (29) on charges of digging an agricultural well and felling trees on a private land belonging to the Sigiriya Sanctuary without the permission of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. A team of wildlife officers, acting on special information received, carried out this raid.

A backhoe, a lorry, a tractor used for the illegal digging and felling activities, as well as a stock of felled timber, have also been taken into custody by the officers. The arrested suspects have told wildlife officers that they were not aware that legal permission should be obtained when carrying out development work on the said land, as it is private property.

Commenting on the incident, Sigiriya Wildlife Office Range Officer S.S. Malinda pointed out that even on private land located within the sanctuary limits, if any digging, construction, or tree felling is carried out, it is mandatory to obtain prior approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation for such activities. The two suspects, who have currently been released on bail under the powers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, are scheduled to be produced before the Dambulla Magistrate's Court on the 31st.