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.