Team deployed to conduct investigation into Walewatta village

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday (15) instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to launch a comprehensive investigation into the Walewatta village in Ambalantota, which has been devastated by a long-running sand smuggling operation by inland sand smugglers.

Accordingly, the GSMB has deployed a team of four engineers today to carry out the investigation. They have already visited the Walewatta village and commenced investigations.

The Minister of Environment also directed the GSMB to immediately submit a report with the necessary recommendations for the rehabilitation of the Walewatte village following the investigations.

The Walewatta Village itself has been destroyed due to the inland sand excavations. The Minister said that the houses built on the lands and as well as the coconut and other valuable trees that had been cultivated in the Walewatte village had been destroyed. Many families have left the village and moved to other areas as they can no longer live in the village. The Minister also said that the whole Walewatta village in Ambalantota has been turned into a deserted village by sand smugglers.

The issuance of permits for inland sand mining has been temporarily suspended to prevent massive environmental damage. Meanwhile, the Minister has instructed the GSMB to consider revoking the licenses currently issued due to the environmental damage caused by inland sand mining in several districts.