Presidential Task Force to reduce taxes on sand mining

…reissues 246 mining permits to operate in Kalu Ganga

By Ifham Nizam

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the exploitation of geological resources for prioritised development projects was planning to reduce taxes levied on sand mining permits, the Environment Ministry said.

The PTF had decided to re-issue permits for sand mining in Kalu Ganga for a short period. Earlier, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau banned sand mining in the area.

Then Environment Ministry yesterday said that 246 mining permits issued for sand mining in the area would be extended. These permits were suspended from 31 December 2020 after people in Kalutara faced a shortage of drinking water due to the rising sea water along the Kalu Ganga during the dry season.

A discussion in this regard was held at the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday, Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports Development, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Anura Walpola, Chairman of the GSMB and officials from the Water Supply Board,Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka Police and Kalutara District Secretariat were also present.

Amaraweera said that three months after the issuance of these permits, another survey of the Kalu Ganga would be conducted.

“If this test also confirms that the sea water is mixing with the river water due to sand mining, we will ban it again,” Amaraweera said.