Three arrested with illegal firearms and wildlife-related items in Kekirawa raids

Three suspects, including a woman, have been arrested during raids conducted by wildlife officers and the Sri Lanka Army in the Kekirawa area as part of a national programme to eradicate illegal firearms and explosive traps used against wildlife.

The arrests were made during the second phase of the programme, which aims to eliminate hakka patas (explosive bait), trap guns and other illegal firearms.

During a joint raid in the Meekiriyawa area of the Kekirawa Divisional Secretariat Division, officers seized an illegal cartridge firearm, a trap gun, lead pellets, five sets of deer antlers, knives made from deer antlers and a sword.

A male suspect and a female suspect were arrested in connection with the seized items.

In a separate raid conducted in the Neeginiyawa area of the Kahalla-Pallekele Sanctuary, another suspect was arrested for allegedly killing a hare using a firearm inside the protected area.

Officers also recovered a trap gun and seven cartridges from the suspect.

Authorities said the suspect was also in possession of a licensed firearm that had been modified, including alterations to the length of its barrel.

The three suspects, along with the seized items, are scheduled to be produced before the Kekirawa Magistrate’s Court.

The national operation, which commenced in the Galgamuwa area, will continue with further raids targeting illegal firearms and devices used to harm wildlife. (Newswire)