Archives

4000 bags of gem gravel to go under the hammer

by A.H.M. Farook

Four thousand bags of gem bearing gravel (illam) will be auctioned by the State Gem Corporation at Kantale tomorrow.

Gem Corporation Vice Chairman T. Rusiripala said the gem bearing gravel were seized at a joint operation conducted by the police, army and corporation officials recently.

Illicit gem mining in the forest reserve along the bank of Kantale tank compelled the corporation to raid the area, Rusiripala told the Daily News yesterday.

"For the first time, we are auctioning the gravel in small lots containing few bags each. This will help small buyers to bid at the auction. Part of proceeds from the auction will be utilised to restore land ravaged by illicit miners in the past", he said.

Arrangements have also been made to issue permits to transport the gravel to any part of Sri Lanka after the auction, the Vice Chairman said.

Illicit gem mining has been rampant in the forest reserve along the Kantale tank area for several years. It is believed that the authorities have failed to arrest this situation due to various reasons.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager