By Sarah Hannan Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesperson SSP Jaliya Senaratne on Friday (2) said that 20 incidents of deforestation and illegal logging had taken place across the country and the media’s reporting had assisted the Police to promptly take action and continue further investigations as well. Incidents were reported in Hanthana in Kandy, Kalpitiya Mangrove Forest, Eluwankulama in Wanathawilluwa, Muhudu Katuwa in Marawila, Morawewa in Horowpathana, Ramsar-protected wetland site in Anawilundawa, Managalapura, Kawanthissapura, Minneriya, Knuckles Forest Reserve, Welikanda in Polonnaruwa, Ihala Kalawewa in Anuradhapura, Negombo Lagoon Mangrove Forest, Malavi Wewa Reserve in Kekirawa, Somawathiya National Park, Wanniyagama Reserve, Hedeniya in Kandy, Kirindi Oya Reserve, Kanthale, and Galenbindunuwewa. The complaints that have been lodged from these sites pertained to felling trees and torching the reserves, destroying mangrove forests, clearing forest reserves using heavy machinery, encroachment of state-owned land (Department of Forest, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation), clearing of forest reserves for cultivation purposes, sand mining, and treasure hunting, which has caused destruction in forest reserves. “Not only have we made arrests and taken legal action against individuals, but we have also taken measures to inform the relevant state authorities to take further legal action against such entities or persons,” SSP Senaratne added. About 25 suspects had been arrested and have been subjected to remand custody or have been litigated. Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera last week noted that steps will be taken to punish anyone who acts illegally, destroying the environment, regardless of their rank. Amaraweera said: “Only four or five incidents had taken place in forest reserves. All others are connected to land encroachments into state-held underutilised land.” It has been confirmed that two government and opposition politicians are involved in the destruction and the Minister emphasised that he will take steps to enforce the law against them irrespective of their rank.