Gem mining regulations relaxed

Disna Mudalige

The regulations on gem mining in the Matale district have been relaxed with the intervention of Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. He has arrived at this decision after listening to complaints of the people involved in the gem industry in Laggala, Matale.

The minister participated in an open forum in Haththotamuna Central College last Saturday, where the people involved in gem mining and trading brought their issues to the attention of the minister. The minister reacting to these complaints decided to relax certain regulations pertaining to gem mining in the Matale district. Accordingly, the use of backhoe has been allowed for the gem mines of over two acres. However, before the miners apply for a new license they should first refill the previous mine.

The minister also advised the Police to avoid entering gem mines with a valid license and directed the Raid Unit of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) to supervise the activities taking place in these mines instead of the Police. He observed that the NGJA has the legal provisions to take action against any irregularity taking place in a mine.

He also allowed the Naulla branch of the NGJA to issue gem mining licenses for gem miners in Matale considering the inconvenience faced by the people to come to the Colombo branch to get the license.

He said the laws and regulations should be adjusted if they cause inconvenience to the people. The minister plans to make field visits in other gem mining areas in the future to look into the problems faced by the people involved in this industry. If necessary, regulations will be relaxed considering the problems of each district.