Political patronage for Illegal sand mining in Kalpitiya

By Pathma Kumari - Kalpitiya   

Special Task Force of the Puttalam Police seized a tipper load of sand and arrested a suspect during a raid carried out on an illegal sand mining site at Kaldakuwawa  in Kalpitiya yesterday.   

Meanwhile several others including the driver of a lorry fled from the scene evading arrest.   

Officers said that the matter  came to light that illicit sand mining during curfew had been going on unchecked and that a group of individuals receiving political patronage was responsible.   

Residents of the area said illicit sand mining was going on in the entire Kalpitiya region and  pointed out that the racketeers were transporting sand regardless of the curfew.   

Commander of the Puttlam STF Camp Inspector Karunaratne, Sergeant Kalum, PCs Wasala, Banara, and Wijesiri, carried out the raid.   The suspects and the case productions were handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for further action.