A police sergeant has been hospitalised after being struck by a "trap gun" during a raid on an illegal liquor distillery in Eppawala.

The victim is an officer attached to the Eppawala Police Station.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Hospital for injuries sustained in the blast.

According to the Eppawala Police, a team of officers had entered a forested area near the Kiralogama tank following a tip-off regarding large-scale illegal liquor brewing.

While inspecting the site, a locally manufactured trap gun, allegedly set by the suspect, was triggered, striking Sergeant Gunasinghe.

The suspect has been identified as a resident of the Kadurugaswewa area in Kiralogama.

However, he had already fled the scene by the time the police backup arrived.

The Eppawala Police have launched a comprehensive investigation, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the individual responsible for setting the trap.