Sand transporters protest against loading limits

By Nimal Jayaratne

Sand transporters in the Polonnaruwa and Manampitiya areas yesterday  staged a protest in front of the Manampitiya Sand Company against an  order from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to load sand only up  to the approved capacity of the tipper lorries.

More than 200 sand transporters, including members of the Tipper Lorry Owners’ Association and employees, participated.

The protesters pointed out that the Chairman of the Geological Survey  and Mines Bureau had informed the IGP to prohibit loading sand exceeding  the approved capacity of the tipper lorries, and that this rule is  currently applicable only to the Manampitiya area.

They said the Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has informed the IGP to implement that rule for sand transport all over the country, but it is surprising that only the sand transporters in Manampitiya area are subject to it.

Sand transporters pointed out that the transport of sand by overloaded tipper lorries from Kanthale, Mahiyangana, Batticaloa, and Welikanda areas was going on unchecked.

However, they called off the protest when a team of police officials, including OIC Manampitiya Police Asela Sarath Kumara met the protestors and called them for talks to resolve the issue.