Row over sandmining activities in Thabbowa sanctuary

The Puttalam Magistrate court has issued a notice over a part of the Thabbowa sanctuary in the Puttalam district being destroyed by sandmining, to the Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretary and an official from the Geological Mines Survey Bureau.

The order came after Wildlife Department officials reported to court that the sanctuary has been affected by the sand mining activities. Thereafter, three tipper trucks and three people detained and produced in the court.

The Wildlife Department has questioned the permission given by the Divisional Secretary's office for sand mining activities, without prior permission being received from the conservation bodies.

Moreover, Wildlife Conservation Deputy Director Eranda Gamage said the excavations had been carried out within the sanctuary, and no proper environmental assessment had been conducted to identify the impact of sand mining activities on the sanctuary.

However, Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretary Thushara Balasuriya said the Wildlife Department had not demarcated the sanctuary's boundaries and therefore a licence for the sandmining activities had been issued.

Environment conservation groups held a protest against the actions of the Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretary.