Tensions flare during crackdown on illegal sand mining in Mahaweli

Picture shows extent of damage caused by illegal sand mining methods

During the inspection,  the officials paid attention to illicit sand mining sites, violation of conditions in sand mining permits and the environmental damage caused to the river by digging deep into the river bed

By Ranjith Karunaweera

A tense atmosphere prevailed during the joint operation carried out by the police, the  Geological and Mines Bureau, the Environmental Authority  and the Divisional Secretariat at Paragammana and Dambagolla  sand mining sites in the Mahaweli river,  to prevent illegal sand mining and to streamline the trade.

Several businessmen engaging in the trade accused the officials planning to issue permits to favourites,  and attempted to raise it as a communal issue. However,  the police managed to quell the situation.

Mahiyangana Divisional Secretary Wimansa Seneviratne said he organised the inspection in view of the 128 applications for sand mining permits,  and the ongoing racket of illegal sand mining without permits. He pointed out that massive sand bars have been created in the Mahaweli river by floods during the Ditwah cyclone,  and this required the renewal of permits and the issuing of new permits. He said illegal sand maining has been going on unchecked beyond the authorities’ control.

Illicit sand mining

During the inspection,  the officials paid attention to illicit sand mining sites, violation of conditions in sand mining permits and the environmental damage caused to the river by digging deep into the river bed.

Officials explained to the sand miners that reservation of the river has been pegged out after the recent floods,  and that the fence to prevent elephants breaking in would be moved further ten meters towards the village. They stressed that it is prohibited to take tractors up to the river bank,  and that sand should be carried along a one-metre wide track to a distance of 15 ft from the bank; sand  should be carried on shoulders to  tractors waiting away from the river bank. According to the rules,  only one fibre boat would be permitted in  the sand mining site. 

The sand miners refused to accept the conditions set out by the officials and staged a protest,  creating a tense atmosphere, They pointed out the they would be compelled to abandoned the trade and that the permits already issued would be returned.

The officer-in-charge  Mahiyangana Police CI R.M.M. Sisira Bandara warned them not to create communal disharmony,  and anyone who is not ready to follow the conditions explained to them should find other means of employment.

They were warned by the Divisional Secretary that steps  would be taken to cancel the permits in case of any violation of conditions applicable to them. He pointed out that only 22 boats could be allowed for the 22 sand mining locations,  but he noticed more than 50 boats.

The Divisional Secretary instructed the OIC Mahiyangana Police to seized the extra boats and take legal action. However,  the owners were allowed to remove their boats owing to the difficulties  the police would have to face  if a large number of boats were to be seized and transported to the police station,  and from there to the courts.

Several permits were suspended for violating the conditions applicable to them.

Police,  Geological and Mines Bureau,  Environmental Authority  and  Divisional Secretariat officials at the site

Piles of sand mined from the Mahaweli River