Although the recent natural disaster has subsided, instructions have been issued to prevent the blatant daylight plunder being carried out by exploiting the traces it has left behind. Accordingly, directives have been given to the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Kilinochchi Region and the Senior Superintendent of Police of the Kilinochchi District to take immediate action.
Today – on Friday, 12 December 2025 evening, the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources, Hon. R. Chandrasekar, and the Governor of the Northern Province, Hon. N. Vethanayahan, personally visited the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for the Kilinochchi Region and instructed officials to take immediate measures to curb this activity.
Following the recent overflow of the Iranamadu Tank, large quantities of sand and silt have accumulated on roads and in canals in the areas of Thiruvaiyaru, Vaddakachchi, and Kandawalai. At a time when the public is suffering hardship, numerous complaints have been received from residents stating that gangs arriving in tipper trucks during the night are illegally removing this sand.
Highlighting this situation, the Minister and the Governor stated that such illegal activities carried out by exploiting a natural disaster cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
They further emphasized that police patrols and security in the affected areas must be increased immediately to stop illegal sand transportation, and that, if necessary, assistance from the Special Task Force should also be sought to bring the situation under control.
The Governor also pointed out that steps will be taken to legally remove the accumulated sand through local government authorities.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, discussion was also held regarding the recent death of a social activist in Kilinochchi who had been consistently raising his voice against illegal sand mining, after being struck by a tipper truck. The Minister and the Governor brought to the attention of the Deputy Inspector General of Police that there is strong public suspicion that this was not an ordinary accident but a premeditated murder.
In response, the Deputy Inspector General of Police assured that investigations into the incident are being conducted very intensively, and that all angles are being examined, with a comprehensive investigation report to be submitted to court at the earliest possible time.
At this meeting, which was also attended by the Senior Superintendent of Police of Kilinochchi District, several important matters relating to controlling the rampant illegal sand mining in the district were discussed.
