No permits issued to export sand to fill Maldive islands: GSMB

Rejecting reports claiming exporting sand from Sri Lanka to create an island in the Maldives, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) said according to the existing local Mineral Policy, the Bureau did not issue permits to export sand or any other minerals.

The Bureau's Director General and Engineer D. Sajjana de Silva said no permits whatsoever be issued for the export of sand and other minerals from Sri Lanka unless approved by the Cabinet or under any other special provisions.

However, GSMB was permitted to export eight cubs of sand occasionally, following a request from a local construction company which is operating in the Maldives to build water pools, tube wells, and filter sand for use for water treatment purposes.

Each cube of filter sand was exported to the Maldives at a cost of Rs. 180,000.

Meanwhile, the GSMB said no requests have been made from any party to fill the island in the Maldives with sand or for any other purpose, also mentioned that permits have not been issued for such exports. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)