Sand mining racket busted
by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE
A large-scale sand mining racket was discovered at Badigantota,
Sooriyawewa following representations made to IGP Mahinda Balasuriya who
ordered a crackdown on the operation last week.
Four persons engaged in illegal sand mining were arrested when a
police team from the Walana Vice Squad consisting of OIC Duminda
Balasooriya, Sub Inspector Dharmasiri and 20 policemen visited the area.
Two backhoe machines were also seized by the raiding party, Police Media
Spokesman, SP Prishantha Jayakody told the Sunday Observer.
The roads in the area too have been damaged as a result of lorries
and tractors frequently transporting sand. Inquiries reveal that two
prominent businessmen in the area were engaged in the sand mining
operation without a permit. Around 2,000 cubic feet of sand had been
mined.
The two suspects along with the backhoe machines were handed over to
the Sooriyawewa police station to be produced in Court, police said.
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