ILLEGAL SAND MINING and impacts on farmers in Kilinochchi

Huge pits created as a result of illegal sand mining

Letter issued by District Secretary requesting the suspension of permits

Farmers in Kandawalai and surrounding areas in Kilinochchi have been impacted by illegal sand mining activities that have been taking place since 2015. They complain that permits have been issued illegally, and many individuals have been mining sand beyond the designated areas mentioned in the permits. As a result, farmers experience soil erosion, flooding and other environmental issues due to unregulated sand mining taking place in these areas. 

Areas under threat 
The Daily Mirror learns that at present, heavy sand mining is being carried out in Kandawalai, Velikkandal, Kallaru and Pannankandi areas by more than 30 vehicles that enter Kilinochchi just for this purpose. According to sources, sand is mined on the shores of a lake near Chundikulam and is being taken along the A9 route via Paranthan Junction from Kallaru and then smuggled to Jaffna. A similar operation takes place in Velikkandal South. In Pannankandi, around 15 vehicles are involved in smuggling sand from the Iranamadu River via byroads to Jaffna. Farmers complain that despite raising this matter with the relevant authorities, it continues to take place in broad daylight. They suspect whether these activities are taking place with the blessing of political patronage despite a change in the regime.
Impacts on farmers 
According to Sivakumar, a farmer and civil society representative in Kandawalai, huge pits have been dug at a depth of one foot for sand mining operations in paddy lands instead of loading sand from the river bed, and during the rainy season, these pits become huge ponds. “Therefore, paddy farming is severely affected due to this crisis. Many roads built via irrigation channels are used on a temporary basis. But when heavy vehicles carrying sand travel on these roads, the roads are damaged further, disturbing irrigation activities. In areas such as Kallaru, sand mining takes place closer to the sea. As a result, there’s saltwater intrusion into paddy lands and our harvest is being impacted,” he added. 
 

Complaint made to DIG Kilinochchi Police regarding illegal sand mining in Kandawalai

Environmental impacts 
Heavy sand mining operations have disturbed bird migration taking place at the Chundikulam bird sanctuary. The presence of heavy activities has impacted bird life and biodiversity in the area. Farmers experience heavy flooding during the rainy season and prolonged drought conditions during the dry season. They claim that natural waterways have been blocked as a result of unregulated sand mining. Soil erosion happening along the coast as a result of sand mining activities would have negative consequences on coastal communities, sometimes resulting in displacement. 
Protests from residents 
The Daily Mirror learned that there had been ongoing protests demanding that successive governments take action against this crisis since 2019. Despite threats to life and intimidation from authorities, people have urged officials to put an end to this crisis. Farmers claim that corruption is one of the main factors that have compelled officials to ignore this matter. They claim that most permits have been forged, and that these individuals use one permit to complete several trips back and forth and that they have even sold permits at higher rates. While sand mining operates as a mafia, it has also provided employment opportunities for youth in the area. A growing concern is with regard to drug abuse happening among youth involved in illegal sand mining and the risk of exploitation. “Once youth become addicted to drugs, they would need a few bucks to fuel their addiction, and cheap labour would make this lucrative business even more profitable for businessmen operating from behind the scenes,” a resident from Kallaru told this paper under strict conditions of anonymity. 
Several individuals who spoke about this matter raised concerns about the threats they have experienced. “Only the government has changed, but everything else, regarding this matter, remains the same as in previous governments,” the resident added.
No progress despite decisions, requests and written correspondence 
According to a letter issued by Acting Divisional Secretary of Kilinochchi S. Muralitharan, a decision was made to suspend permits issued for transporting sand from other provinces to Jaffna District, except the Northern Province, at the District Committee Meeting held on December 26, 2024. The letter stated that ‘when considering the distance and transport cost, it isn’t a profitable business for them to bring sand from Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Trincomalee to Jaffna District’.
At the same meeting, another decision was made to suspend permits issued for sand mining at Gowtharimunal Grama Niladhari Division following concerns raised on disturbance to groundwater table. 
The District Secretary had also issued a detailed list of vehicles involved in illegal sand mining in Kilinochchi District between 2022 and 2025 in a letter addressed to the Director General of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau dated May 19, 2025. The list was issued following a decision made at a District Committee Meeting held on March 28, 2025. The list includes details of 89 vehicles that have been fined at least thrice or more due to illegal sand mining. 
A letter issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police (Kilinochchi District) addressed to the GSMB Director General highlights the fact that the issuance of permits to individuals who have been fined aggravates the matter further. Therefore, SSP Kilinochchi District Sisira Peththathantri had requested GSMB DG to stop the re-issuance of permits to such individuals and vehicles. 
Another decision taken at the District Coordination Committee meeting held on May 29, 2025, was to stop sand distribution through the Paranthan-Poonakary road using heavy vehicles. Subsequently, a letter was sent to the DIG of Kilinochchi Police with a request to stop heavy vehicles along this route.
But despite such letters, complaints and requests, illegal sand mining continues in at least nine Grama Niladhari Divisions, including Kandawalai in Kilinochchi. Sivakumar further said that they are aware of the fact that sand is an essential commodity for development projects. “But it shouldn’t happen at the expense of our bread and butter. We therefore urge authorities to put an end to this mafia and monitor illegal vehicles coming into the area,” he underscored. 

GSMB cannot enforce the law : Regional Mining Engineer 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, D. Mayuran, Regional Mining Engineer at GSMB, Jaffna said that several decisions were made at the District Coordinating Committee Meetings regarding illegal sand mining. “We have sent some of our officers to inspect the areas in question. The issue is that we don’t have the authority to enforce the law. But we would support law enforcement authorities to take actions against perpetrators,” he added. 

Police to continue investigations  

When contacted, a senior officer at the Police said that they are continuing to investigate individuals who are operating despite warnings. The Daily Mirror also learned that illegal sand mining is an employment opportunity for youth in the area. 

Several attempts to contact Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, who had been made aware of these issues, proved futile.