Five people were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) on charges of having been involved in gem mining this morning in the Castlereagh Reservoir where its water level had dropped, the police said.

They said the STF personnel from the Maskeliya Camp made the arrest and the suspects and their equipment were handed over to the Norwood police.

People are taking to illegal gem mining within the reservoir, after its water level fell to about 55 feet below spill level.

Residents said that the mining was operating with the alleged assistance of the Norwood police. (Supun Dias and Gamini Ilangantilleka)