An operation to destroy illegally maintained fields of Cannabis in the Udawalawe national forest and reserve zone was held yesterday (21st), as soldiers were disembarked to the said fields by air.
This operation was initiated after 8 such fields of Cannabis were confirmed to be illegal plantations by the Airforce Intelligence Unit.
This air operation was held with the instructions by the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Major General Kamal Gunaratne and under the supervision of Air Marshal Sumangala Dias.
The Airforce announced that this was a joint operation by Airforce Regiment Special Force and Police Special Task Force. These illegally maintained fields were monitored initially with an aircraft used for observations known as “Beach Craft”. Upon making important observations, one Bell 212 and one M.I. 17 each were deployed to carry Police STF soldiers to reach to the said fields by air. All the Cannabis plants were removed from the soil and set on fire, according to the Airforce.