Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister P. Harrison has instructed irrigation officials to accelerate the survey conducted to identify the environmental issues of the Kalu Ganga.
During a discussion yesterday at the Irrigation Department with sand-mining associations, Minister Harrison said that around 350 Kalu Ganga-based sand-mining licences are currently in operation. Though the licences were issued under the basis of 25 cubes per two days, some miners have exceeded this limit, causing environmental problems.
According to the Minister, around 5,000 persons directly and indirectly depend on sand-mining and he instructed sand miners to continue their work without breaking the rules and regulations.
The Minister also said it was possible to extend the duration of the licence from three months to one year. “We would not hesitate to take legal action against those who engage in illegal sand mining,” he said.
The Minister pledged to take measures to build a stone wall from Kohilawatte to Halmulla as a solution for the soil erosion occurring in the Kelani River basin, at the cost of Rs. 600 million.
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