Fire destroys about 40 acres near Vallipuram temple in Jaffna

A fire destroyed about 40 acres of land near the Vallipuram temple in Vadamarachchi, Jaffna, on Tuesday night (21 July), police said.

Maradankeni Police said they suspected that a group of individuals had deliberately started the fire and had launched an investigation to identify those responsible.

The blaze destroyed part of a palmyrah forest and large sections of fencing around farmers’ paddy fields.

Farmers in Vadamarachchi said organised groups set fire to forested areas during the dry season each year to hunt wild animals, including hares, porcupines, pangolins and mouse deer.

Residents said the hunters capture animals fleeing the flames or collect those killed in the fire for meat.