The Hon. Governor of Northern Province N. Vethanayahan stated that steps will be taken to immediately and temporarily suspend the sand mining permits issued in the Mannar District last March, and to refer the serious irregularities alleged in the issuance of those permits to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.
A special district level meeting on the regulation of sand supply in the Mannar District was held this morning – on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at the District Secretariat Auditorium under the chairmanship of District Secretary K. Kanageshwaran.
The meeting was attended by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan; the Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives and Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, Upali Samarasinghe; the Hon. Member of Parliament, M. Jagatheeshwaran; the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Vanni Region; and several other senior government officials.
*Lack of coordination identified as the primary challenge – District Secretary*
In his welcome address, District Secretary K. Kanageshwaran stated that the lack of proper coordination among government departments involved in sand mining and distribution in the Mannar District has become a major issue. He also noted that concerns have been raised regarding certain permits that have been issued.
He further highlighted that areas where sand mining has taken place are experiencing significant environmental impacts, and emphasized that today’s discussion should focus on addressing these issues and bringing them to an end.
*Officials allegedly backing sand mafias raise serious concern – Hon. Governor*
Following this, the Hon. Governor, N. Vethanayahan, stated that since his tenure as District Secretary, he had consistently emphasized the need to establish a district level committee to regulate the extraction and distribution of minerals, including sand. However, he noted that certain government institutions, operating with the backing of some politicians at the time, had failed to cooperate in this regard. He further stated that since assuming office as Governor, he has been closely monitoring matters related to sand distribution.
He further stated that sand mafias are operating in a highly ruthless manner in the area, with a few groups arbitrarily deciding the price of sand, often with the full cooperation of certain officials. While noting that it is acceptable to provide sand excavated from government lands to the public at a reasonable price, he pointed out that these groups are making profits of nearly one lakh rupees per tipper load. He also alleged that the permits for excavation and distribution are being monopolized by a specific group, with some officials attempting to favor them, and emphasized that such malpractices are causing significant financial losses to the government.
With the objective of ensuring that sand is made available to the public at a reasonable price, a special discussion was previously held with the Head of the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines. The Governor noted that today’s district-level meeting is being conducted in line with the decisions taken at that meeting. He further stated that all relevant departments must extend their full and unconditional cooperation to implement the decision taken at the Governor’s Secretariat, under which the supply and pricing of sand are to be determined at this meeting chaired by the District Secretary.
*“This is not a business; it is a mafia” – Hon. Deputy Minister expresses strong condemnation*
Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives and Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, Upali Samarasinghe, stated that what is taking place is not an ordinary sand business but a planned sand mafia operation. He said that he has been closely observing for the past one and a half years to identify those behind these networks and their supporters. He warned that those involved should abandon these activities immediately, otherwise they will be stopped permanently, adding that the government is attempting to rectify the situation. He further emphasized that all departments must extend full cooperation, and cautioned that if cooperation is not given, strict action would be taken at ministerial level in consultation with the Hon. President. He also remarked that some officials appear to be acting under fear of being “killed by a tipper,” highlighting the level of intimidation surrounding the issue.
He further stated that no department can act unilaterally assuming exclusive authority over sand permit-related matters, and emphasized that all institutions must work in coordination and in unison. He noted that a review of the issued permits shows that they are concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, and added that when approvals are not granted at the local level, some parties proceed to obtain permits from Colombo. He stressed that in the future, all such decisions will be made and implemented through the district-level coordination meeting.
*Field research reveals environmental destruction exposed*
Following this, observations and recommendations were presented to the council regarding the field survey conducted on April 7, concerning the granting of permission for the excavation of approximately 9,000 cubic meters of sand under five permits issued in March. The matter was discussed at length, and extensive arguments were exchanged during the session.
Although the permits were issued on the basis of removing sand accumulated due to the ‘Dithwa’ natural disaster, it has been revealed that irregularities have occurred in their implementation. During the field inspection, it was clearly observed that illegal and uncontrolled sand mining activities were taking place in several locations. It was also found that sand had been extracted in excess of the permitted quantities, and that mechanical excavation had been carried out in areas where no authorization had been granted.
As a result, the land structure in the affected areas has been severely disturbed, with tree roots exposed and the risk of ground collapse significantly increased. In particular, damage to riverbanks has heightened the risk of landslides and flooding. Furthermore, the proximity of these activities to schools and residential settlements has raised serious concerns regarding public safety. It was also noted that there are major discrepancies between field inspection reports and the permits issued, and that persistent shortcomings in monitoring and enforcement have been clearly exposed.
Based on these findings, several key recommendations were made, including the immediate cancellation of any illegally issued or misused sand mining permits, the restoration of environmentally damaged land areas, and the urgent implementation of protective measures for riverbanks and surrounding ecosystems.
*“You cannot hide behind circulars to escape responsibility” – warning to officer*
Responding to this, the District Engineer of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau stated that some field surveys had been conducted prior to his assuming office in the district, and that the permits in question were issued by the previous engineer.
Following this, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperatives and Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, Upali Samarasinghe, intervened and stated that officials and politicians present should not be underestimated. He further cautioned against attempting to evade responsibility by relying on procedural circulars, and urged all parties to speak truthfully and responsibly without making careless statements.
The Hon. Governor, N. Vethanayahan, then questioned why the permits were not immediately cancelled after it was confirmed that significant irregularities had been committed through their use. In response, the District Engineer stated that he had been awaiting a decision to be taken at this meeting.
Reacting to this, the Governor further remarked that while permits are granted arbitrarily without proper consultation, it is inappropriate to seek the approval of the committee only when it comes to cancelling them, emphasizing the need for consistent and accountable decision-making.
Pointing out that the District Engineer concerned had also been present during the field inspection, the Additional District Secretary of Mannar District questioned the reasons for not cancelling the permits despite clear evidence of multiple irregularities. In response to the escalating concerns, the Hon. Governor, N. Vethanayahan, announced that an official complaint would be lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and that a comprehensive investigation would be initiated into the matter.
New resolutions introduced to regulate sand supply
Following this, several key decisions were taken to regulate sand supply. It was decided that a coordinated field study involving all relevant departments must be conducted as a mandatory requirement prior to issuing any sand mining permits. It was also agreed that sand mining and storage permits will be granted on a priority basis to local government authorities.
A process will be introduced to confirm the availability of resources through GPS data. Arrangements have also been made for the systematic distribution of excavated sand, and it has been decided to establish a technical committee to determine the pricing of sand, ensuring a more transparent and regulated mechanism.
Strict controls will be introduced, including allowing sand excavation in specific and environmentally sensitive areas only with prior court approval, in order to ensure environmental protection and prevent unauthorized extraction activities.
It was also decided to implement the same procedure followed in the Kilinochchi District for the washing and sale of sand extracted from ponds in Mannar.
In addition, the key routes used for transporting sand from Mannar were identified, and it was agreed to immediately install CCTV cameras at these locations to strengthen monitoring and prevent illegal activities.
Action against corrupt police officers will be taken without mercy – Deputy Inspector General assures.
Finally, the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Vanni Region expressed his views, stating that he has served in various capacities within the Police Department and that, in the past, there had been instances where politicians attempted to influence the release of individuals arrested for criminal activities. He further noted that since assuming duties in the Vanni Region, he had participated in four meetings held by the Governor and the Deputy Minister on sand regulation. Emphasizing the importance of the ongoing efforts, he stated that since the Governor and Deputy Minister are taking the matter forward at this level, it is the responsibility of the Police Department to extend its full cooperation.
He further stated that certain police officers, when requested to sign permits, refuse to do so and instead engage in corrupt practices by accepting bribes. He noted that disciplinary action is currently being taken against such individuals. He also assured that he would not protect any police officer involved in corruption and emphasized that immediate action would be taken against any officer found to be aiding or abetting such irregularities, regardless of rank, upon receipt of a complaint.
Divisional Secretaries, the the Director Provincial Department of Irrigation, Mannar Urban Council Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen and officials representing relevant government departments participated in this special discussion.
