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Further earth slips in Ratnapura
Scientists and geological experts have warned of further earth slips to occur in Ratnapura at Helauadakanda where one was reported earlier this week.
The earth slip which was the third recorded incident in the area since 1993, reported no casualties although the Ratnapura-Wewelwatte road was made impassable. Chief Minister for the province, Maheepala Herath called for further inspections by geologists to be carried out in Helaudakanda, while officials of the Disaster Management Centre, National Building Research Organisation and other officials visited the site and warned that more boulders could come down into the villages An awareness programme was conducted recently among the villagers on the necessary precautions to be taken. Now large scale sand mining in the South Sand mining on a large scale using heavy equipment has caused the lower part of the Walawe Ganga to go dry resulting in immense inconvenience to the people depending on the river water in the Hambantota and Ambalantota areas. The Walawe Ganga provides water for paddy cultivation during both Yala and Maha seasons with over 15,000 acres of paddy land being irrigated. This water is directed to the paddy lands through two anicuts at Ridiyagama and Liyagastota.
The large scale sand mining carried out on both banks of the river in these parts has gouged 50 to 60 feet deep holes in the banks. The sand thus collected is transported to distant places while the mining causes much harm to the environment in addition to causing a deviation in the natural flow of the water. Recently Ambalangoda police assisted by neighbouring police station personnel arrested seven offenders with some equipment including three tractors. Meanwhile mining goes on unabated in the Angunakolapelessa area too and residents complain that no officials or anyone in authority seem to be keen in apprehending the culprits. It is rumoured that those in authority are being bought over by businessmen engaged in the illegal mining operations. | ||||
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