Sand mining in Anamaduwa raises concerns

COLOMBO (News1st): A large scale sand mining racket on a 50-acre land in Anamaduwa has raised concerns due to environmental destruction in the area. Area residents said unidentified groups had smuggled out teak from the area before moving to sand mining after identifying the potential for natural resources. "Sand mining has uprooted many trees as well," one resident said. Reports suggest the land had been purchased for a private teak plantation 20 years ago before being split and sold to various entities. Landowners had been unable to visit their properties, leading to various factions engaging in illegal sand mining on their plots of land, News1st's correspondent reported.