Two men were arrested by wildlife officers under the allegation of smuggling timber, during a raid conducted in the Kahalla - Pallekelle area in Galkiriyagama on Sunday.
A stock of teak timber and a lorry used in the transportation were taken into the custody of wildlife officers in the Galkiriyagama wildlife range office.
It was revealed that the timber smugglers, comprising five members, had allegedly engaged in this illegal business for a long period. Three of them had managed to flee during the time of the raid.
The identity and whereabouts of the three suspects who fled were revealed by the other two suspects.
The wildlife range officers took steps to conduct another operation to nab the other three who fled.
The value of the seized teak timber was not estimated yet. The two suspects were released on Rs. 100,000 personnel bail by the wildlife range officers in Galkiriyagama.
The suspects are residents of the Galkiriyagama and Palbadiyawa area.
They are to be produced before the District Magistrate’s Court soon.