COLOMBO (News1st): The excess sand on the banks of the Mahaweli river will be removed in a systematic manner, irrigation minister Chamal Rajapaksa has said.

Responding to journalists, he said he is unaware of the truth behind claims that a powerful minister in Anuradhapura has issued 113 permits for sand mining.

“We are not aware of this, but we will look into this matter,” Rajapaksa said pointing out that permits are issuing by the relevant authorities and not by politicians.

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