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Control illegal gemming, says Minister

by P. D. A. S. Gunasekera, Ratnapura group correspondent

Indiscriminate illegal gemmings has to be controlled. The people should also be educated and told to cooperate to save land from landslides caused by illegal digging, said Defence Minister Tilak Marapana.

The gem industry related operations are matters of concern in Sabaragamuwa, the minister told the District Coordinating Committee meeting at the Pradeshiya Sabha, Atakalanpanna on the prospects of the gem industry.

Gemming is a key industry where the 'haves' and 'have-nots' were involved.

The minister said gemming and jewellery was an integral part of the economy and people of Sabaragamuwa. Any legislation against gemming especially in the illegal sector would affect the poor, Marapana said.

Police operations against illegal gemming had to be undertaken with caution. Police harassment has led to a considerable movement of gemmers and those connected to the gem trade out of the district in search of better pastures with lesser legal risks affecting the industry, the minister said.

Gem lands at estate plantations sector and their alleged exploitations under estate management will be investigated after obtaining a full report of the incidence from the Plantation Ministry, he said.

Marapana said he would see the alienation of gemlands within estates would not take place under any circumstances and action would be initiated to take over such properties from the estate management in consultation with the Minister of Plantation Industries. The minister assured that alleged 'out-flow' of the gemming business interest to other areas especially Colombo would be prevented.

Ratnapura District MP, Ajith Kumara Maddegama, Nivitigala Electoral Organiser, Thalatha Atukorale, SPC Member, Wijesinghe, Divisional Secretary, Devapriya Wijeraja and PS Chairman, Jagath palliyaguru also participated.

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