A senior minister is leading a protest against the controversial auctioning of a section of the Kalu Ganga to private gem traders --- but officials concerned say the protest is orchestrated by an organised mafia with vested interests.
Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne told the Sunday Times the Gem and Jewellery Authority had auctioned a section of the river for a mere Rs 30 million when it could have fetched a higher price. He said the whole process was shrouded in mystery and proper tender procedures had not been followed.
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| Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne |
“The Gem and Jewellery Authority had already issued the licence to go ahead with the mining even though the divisional secretaries were yet to approve it. This should have never been done since it violates the procedures,” he said.
The authorities involved in the case must be mindful of the impact it would have on the environment once the mining starts, It could cause soil erosion of the river banks, leading to flooding and other adverse results, Mr. Seneviratne warned.
He said the District Coordinating Committee co-chaired by him and the Chief Minister of the province decided on Tuesday to halt the mining but the Gem and Jewellery Authority remained stubborn and went ahead with the project.He said he would now take the matter to the President.
Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Asitha Tillekaratne alleged that those behind the protest were an organized ‘mafia’ carrying out illegal gem mining in the area.
“The proper procedure was followed during the auction. Three plots were auctioned to bidders for a total of Rs. 30 million. The buyers have also been strictly advised to maintain environment guidelines during the mining and the use of machinery has been prohibited,” Mr. Tillekeratne said.
He said those behind the protest including politicians both at regional and other levels had vested interests in the trade. “One particular Government Agent was also in possession of a mining licence and therefore was worried over the auctions,” he charged.
He said the area which was auctioned had been placed under police protection for the past one year costing the
state some Rs 7 million to prevent illegal mining.
“This will no longer be required with legal mining operations underway and thereby this money could be saved. They are talking about soil erosion, but no one mentions the mass-scale sand mining rampant in this river causing much more damage to the environment,” Mr. Tillekeratne further charged.
“This is a Cabinet approved project and no authority, district level or whatever, could stop it,” he said.
Environmental Minister Champika Ranawaka said gem mining in the Kalu Ganga was not illegal as long as guidelines were adhered to.
“In this particular case the environmental authorities will be monitoring the mining operations at to ensure that laws are not flouted. If the procedure is not followed, the licences will be withdrawn immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile environmentalists warned that the mining in the river by machinery or otherwise might harm marine life and pollute the water.
“There are 13 different species of endangered aquatic life in the Kalu Ganga and they could come under threat once the river bed is disturbed. In addition the water will also turn murky and unfit for human consumption or even washing,” Environmentalis Jagatha Gunawarde said.
Prasad Manjula Ambalanyaya of the National Movement for the Protection of Rain Forests and Natural Resources said they would take legal action against to stop the project.
“The gem deposits in this particular area of the river are worth billions of rupees and several persons are fighting to be stakeholders. They don’t give a damn for the environment. “Even those on the protesting side have vested interests,” Mr. Ambalanyaya said. |
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