STF BRIEFED ON ILLS OF ILLEGAL SAND MINING
W .M. Priyangani Gunatilleke Deputy Director, Central Environmental Authority, said sand mining regulations would not serve any purpose unless the people were conscious of its irreparable environmental damage.
Addressing a seminar at Sanhinidawa Holiday Resort in Chilaw for STF officials to create awareness on environmental laws and how to implement them against those who break environmental laws she pointed out that it was not possible to prevent environmental damage caused by sand mining without public cooperation.
During the seminar officers of the STF carried out an inspection of sand mining sites on the banks of the Deduru Oya and the damage caused to the river itself. The seminar was organised by the Sri Lanka Jala Sansadaya and Mihisara environmental organisation.
The deputy director also said, “We are experiencing serious consequences of haphazard sand mining. Deepening riverbeds has resulted in an inflow of sea water polluting supplies of drinking water. The dwindling of ground water resources is among the far reaching consequences of sand mining. Unplanned sand mining has also resulted in sea erosion in several areas. Although the Central Environmental Authority has launched public awareness programmes on the subject, it seems that the public is yet to understand the dangers of environmental damage.”
Senior consultant of the Sri Lanka Jala Sansadaya and former secretary to the Mahaweli Ministry, S.B.Niyangoda said police was not in a position to implement the law against racketeers due to the interferences of prominent personalities.