Aug 16, Nuwara Eliya: District Secretary of Sri Lanka's hill country Nuwara Eliya D.P.G. Kumarasiri pointed out that the wild fires in the forests have damaged around 1,500 acres of indigenous forest cover.

The official further said that all the wild fires that broke out in the area were man-made, according to the investigations.

He said the major fire that occurred earlier this month in a forest reserve between Ohia and Pattipola railway stations in the Nuwara Eliya district may have been caused by a cigarette butt thrown out by a train passenger.

The Air Force was also summoned to extinguish and prevent the spread of the fire.

The other fires also were man-made and some were made by unscrupulous persons for enjoyment. However, none of the culprits have been arrested due to lack of information, he said.

The official pointed out that the damage to the flora and fauna is immense and the repercussions might be landslides when the rains fall.

In addition to the damage to the flora and fauna, the fires had a great impact on the beauty of this picturesque hilly area that attracts many tourists.