Sandminers held for violating SC order

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

The Deduru Oya (river) basin had became notorious for illegal sand mining during the past several years. Those engaged in the sand mining business had become rich as the demand for sand grew by leaps and bounds following the building boom in the past. But sand mining had a negative impact on the environment as a whole. Due to erosion of the river bed and due to other factors affecting the environment, public spirited citizens filed action in the Supreme Court to prevent such abuses which resulted in a landmark judgement that banned the sand mining in the Chillaw area.

Despite the court ruling illegal sand mining continued unabated with the tacit approval of local Pradeshiya Sabha politicians. Whether the local policemen turned a blind eye to be in the good books of the Pradeshiya Sabha politicians is anybody's guess. However when things went from bad to worse residents petitioned police headquarters once again about illegal sand mining in the area. When the matter came up before IGP Jayantha Wickramaratna, he instructed DIG Staff, D.A. de Fonseka to investigate the matter and arrest the offenders.

Meanwhile the Director, Central Anti Vice Striking Force (CAVSF) Supdt. of Police A. Ranaweera was instructed to conduct a full scale investigation into the illegal sand mining racket and submit a report. He informed OIC (CAVSF) Inspector Duminda Balasooriya and his officers to keep an eye on the racket and to apprehend the suspects. The police soon learnt the modus operandi of the suspects was to use mechanised Backhoe Caterpillar machines to excavate mounds of sandy earth from Walpolawatte Estate located at Kotadeniyawa. It was a 150 acre estate with a lot of sandy soil.

The sandy earth collected was then washed and the processed sand was sold at Rs. 7,000 a cube, inquiries revealed.

On June 15, Inspector Balasuriya with a group of CAVSF men dressed in plain clothes posing off as office workers on a picnic left to Deduru Oya. The spot was in close proximity to Walpolawatte. On an earlier occasion CAVSF men visited the area and found the men engaged in illegal sand mining had employed several men to tip them off when they come across suspicious persons in the area. The CAVSF men also learnt that sand mining was done occasionally. It was because they did not want residents to know what was happening at Walpolawatte. It was around noon when several CAVSF men arrived near Walpolawatte.

They heard the drone of a Backhoe Caterpillar at work. When they swooped in they found two men on the Backhoe Caterpillar. There was a third man on the ground giving directions to the Backhoe operator. The three suspects were taken into custody with the Backhoe Caterpillar worth Rs 8 million. The three suspects were handed over to the Kotadeniyawa police station to be produced in court for violating the decision of the Supreme Court.