More than 100 acres of forest have been destroyed in a fire that broke out in the Hurulu Environmental Park Reserve in Habarana yesterday (23), officials said.

The fire reportedly started at around 2:30 p.m.

Forest Conservation officials said fires of this nature are often deliberately started by hunters who enter forests illegally.

Officials from the Department of Forest Conservation, together with wildlife officers, worked to contain and extinguish the fire, according to Habarana Police.

An investigation is underway by Forest Conservation officials and Habarana Police to determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident so far.