09 Arrested Over Attack on Forest Officers at Riverston

COLOMBO (News 1st): Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault on Forest Conservation Officers in the Riverston area.

Police said those arrested include the son of a former Provincial Council member.

According to Police, the suspects are due to be produced before the Matale-Paldeniya Magistrate's Court today.

The incident occurred on September 1 in the Riverston area and resulted in injuries to three Forest Officers.

Investigators stated that the assault took place when wildlife officers attempted to prevent a group of individuals from consuming alcohol near a Forest Office.

Two of the injured Forest Officers are currently receiving treatment at the Matale Hospital.

"The incident occurred in the Pitawala Pathana area. Our officers were assaulted, and we had to flee into the forest. We escaped with our lives only by running into the jungle. All of our officers were attacked," said one Forest Officers.

"When our officers attempted to control a group behaving in an intoxicated manner at Riverston's Pitawala Pathana area, they were attacked. When I tried to intervene and bring the situation under control, they assaulted me very severely. The officers who were with me were also attacked. In the end, the officers had to run into the forest to protect their lives," explained another.

Meanwhile, the Knuckles Tourism Circle has issued a statement condemning the attack.

In its statement, the organization emphasized that strict legal action must be taken against those responsible for assaulting Forest Conservation Officers in the Knuckles region.