Eight arrested for illegal gem mining

Eight men were arrested while they were engaged in illegal gem mining in the Nivithigala area in Ratnapura.

The raid was carried out by the Special Task Force (STF). The police also found mining equipment in their possession at the time of the raid. They have been engaged in this illegal activity for the past three months. The suspects are residents of Nivitigala, Watapola, Mulagama, Ratnapura and Muthuduwa. The STF said the suspects will be produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate.

They were handed over to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) for further investigations.