Ban on removal of mineral sand

Raja WAIDYASEKERA, Tissamaharama special correspondent

Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa ordered that the removal of mineral sand from Kirinda-Bundala Coastal belt should be stopped with immediate effect.

The ban was imposed at the DDC meeting held at Singapore Welfare Hall at Hambantota. The Minister presided over the meeting.

A private sector company is engaged in a project to remove samples of sand for an inspection and an investigation.

The Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha and the residents staged protest campaigns regarding the removal of mineral sand.

The private sector company that obtained the permission of the Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary and State institutions carried out the removal of mineral sand in large scale.

A clash between the State officials and residents had occurred afterwards and on March 15 Tissamaharama Police took into custody twelve residents who were involved in the clash.

This private sector company has not received the permission of the DDC in obtaining Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

Taking into consideration all these facts the Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa ordered the District Secretary Hambantota to ban with immediate effect the removal of mineral sand.