Uva Province Chief Minister Harin Fernando stated that opposition’s politically bankrupt politicians were attempting to tarnish his reputation using a letter he issued over the permits for sand mining spots.
 
Issuing a press release, Chief Minister Harin Fernando stated that politically bankrupt politicians were in an attempt to gain political advantages using a letter dated February 26 which he sent to the Provincial Land Commissioner. He stated that these politicians were engaging in an unsuccessful attempt to tarnish his reputation.
 
In his statement, Mr. Fernando said sand mining racketeers who received opposition politicians’ blessings for a long time period were still attempting to continue this racket after misleading the public officers.

He maintained that he instructed the officials that only suitable persons be permitted to receive sand mining spots without causing damages to the environment. Mr. Fernando affirmed that he took this decision due to the fact that the on-going activities of those sand mining racketeers essentially need to be stopped.
 
National Freedom Front parliamentarian Weerahumara Dissanayake had alleged that Uva Chief Minister had issued a circular violating administrative regulation to enable his political supporters to engage in sand mining in the Mahiyangana constituency.
 
According to Dissanayake, a circular issued by the Chief Minister Fernando on February 26, under the seal of the Uva Provincial Council on instructions to various State officials to make arrangements to issue permits for sand mining, only to those recommended by Mahiyangana UNP organiser Upali Senaratne.