News

Illicit sand mining at Deduru reserves continues unabated

View(s):

Concerned members of the public and environmental organizations allege illegal sand mining is causing the destruction of river reserves in areas such as Polgammana, Malagane, Kithulvahare, Pothuwewa, Thambarawa, Ipalawa and Natiya which come under the Deduru Oya Reservoir.

They claim the continued illegal sand mining is putting at risk the Deduru Oya resevoir in addition to posing an environmental hazard.
Director of the Irrigation Dept. in Kurunegala -Ms. Malani Kulasinghe admitted the river reserves of the Deduru Oya reservoir were controlled by illegal sand miners. She added the illegal sand mining was causing grave damage to the reservoir.

Construction of the Deduru Oya reservoir drawing waters of the Deduru Oya, Maguru Oya and Kimbulwana Oya which commenced in 2007, were completed in 2014 and ceremonially declared open by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Nearly 4,000 acres of cultivable land belonging to 640 families were submerged under the project, while another portion of land set apart as river reserve.

While the 640 families were evicted from the project area and resettled at Thelahara, Polgammana, Nelumgama and Pitaweliwatta, allegations abound that large-scale illegal sand mining activities are ongoing and are posing a threat to the river reserves. These illegal activities continue despite irrigation department laws prohibiting entry into the river reserves.

Ms. Kulasinghea said it was common knowledge that around 100 lorries were involved in transporting sand on a daily basis. She said these sand-laden lorries passed the Wariyapola police station on a daily basis and what was astonishing was the manner in which the authorities professed ignorance of illegal activities which took place literally under their noses. She charged illegal sand mining activities were being carried out island-wide on an organised level and no action was being taken to strictly implement the law.