Man Arrested in Maskeliya for Illegal Gem Mining Operation

A 51-year-old man was arrested on April 3rd in the Gorthreewatta area of Maskeliya on charges of illegal gem mining. Officers from the Maskeliya Police Special Task Force (STF) camp conducted a raid following received intelligence. The suspect, a resident of Maskeliya, was apprehended for operating without a valid permit. Excavation equipment used in the illicit activity was also seized during the operation. He has been handed over to the Maskeliya Police Station, where further investigations are currently underway.