Sri Lanka, Aug. 8 -- Officers of the Ritigala Wildlife Sanctuary have arrested two individuals who were operating an illegal liquor distillery within the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve.

The suspects were found with a stock of illegal liquor and brewing equipment.

The arrests were made during a special operation to curb the increase in wildlife crimes in the area.

Our correspondent stated that the two men had illegally entered the reserve and were operating the distillery in the Andiya Kanda area of the Galapitagala Strict Nature Reserve.

Among the items seized were a stock of "Goda" used for brewing, large plastic cans, fire-making equipment, 500 grams of yeast, and a stock of the illegally brewed liquor.

The suspects are scheduled ...