Manampitiya sand mining project reopened

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau's Manampitiya sand mining project will resume sand mining and marketing from next Monday after a closure of nearly two months.

At a crucial meeting held on Thursday at Polonnaruwa being convened by the Health Minister and the head of the Polonnaruwa political authority the decision to revive sand mining in Mahaweli river at Manampitiya as usual was taken on several new conditions.

The stoppage of sand mining in Manampitiya sand project took place following harsh criticism over the Manampitiya state and sand mining projects activities by the political authority at the North Central Provincial progress review meeting chaired by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The two months closure of the project had adversely affected the price stability of the Colombo sand market and the livelihood of nearly 2,000 families depended on the sand mining at the Manampitiya Mahaweli sand mining worksite.

Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau Chief Executive Officer Sarath Silva told Daily News that it was agreed to pay Rs 150 per cube being mined at the site to the Polonnaruwa District Development Fund.