News
Sand mining wreaks havoc in Wanathawilluwa
Due to irreparable damage caused by sand mining,Mee Oya Wanathawilluwa Divisional Secretary Chathuraka Jayasinghe has instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to suspend licences issued for sand mining.
The Divisional Secretary said the decision was taken due to the damage done to the Mee Oya by the mining activities. He also said vehicle movements have totally destroyed the main road to several villages in the Wattalanda area.
Area residents said sand mining in the river had deepened the river and huge Kumbuk trees had also fallen down due to the excavations.
The residents complained that the mining was often not only carried out illegally, but also had devastating consequences on the environment that could endanger their lives. They also said sometimes conflicts arose when illegal miners and authorised licensed miners confronted each other.
Those who obtain a licence were permitted to carry out sand mining in the Mee Oya,and they were allowed to use only one ferry for sand mining, but sometimes they used two or three.
Meanwhile, the residents also said miners were allowed to transport only 21 cubes of sand each month, but with one licence they were transporting more than 100 cubes. Illegal sand smugglers were transporting even more sand cubes, they said.
However, sand licence holders and illegal sand smugglers had told the media they were extorting sand by bribing top officials in Wanathawilluwa.
Speaking further the residents said the destruction had taken place because the Police and other respective officials continuously issue permits without conducting any investigations regarding the sand mining.