Three foreigners have been arrested in the Ratnapura area for the possession of parts of the endemic plant Gyrinops Walla, commonly known as Walla Patta in Sinhala.
The three Bangladesh nationals had entered the country on tourist visas and engaged in the racket from a house they had rented for a month in Thirivanaketiya, Ratnapura.
Police seized around 6 kilograms and 750 milligrams of the plant which the suspects were attempting to export to
Saudi Arabia.
The arrested suspects, including a 26 year olds youth, were ordered remanded until February 11 after being produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate.
Transportation or possession of the plant, which only grows in certain parts of the island, is prohibited. Gyrinops walla, traditionally used for medicinal purposes, produces a resinous substance called agarwood, which fetches a high price in other countries as it is used in the production of perfumes.
The commercial value of this tree came to light with the recent attempts to illegally fell and smuggle it to extract Agarwood.
