Army men arrested for illicit felling

A lieutenant and 11 soldiers of the Commando Regiment were arrested today for allegedly felling trees without permit, the Forest Department officials said.

They had been engaged in loading an army truck in the Bogamuyaya Forest Reserve of Maha Oya, Ampara, at the time of the arrest.

The group had fell teak trees illicitly, the Forest Department officials said.

The 12 army officers, the army truck and 28 teak logs are being detained by Ampara police.

The arrested army personnel are attached to the Borawewa camp of the commando Regiment.

The arrest had been made as the army personnel failed to produce a permit for felling trees for the use of army, officials said. (Ajith Lal Shanthaudaya)