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Hands off Kalpitiya sand
The North Western Provincial Council has decided to implement a ban on sand mining in the Kalpitiya peninsula. The decision to implement the ban was taken at a council meeting which was also attended by Minister Milroy Fernando and Puttalam district parliamentarians.

"At this meeting we decided to impose a total ban on sand mining within the Kalpitiya peninsula with immediate effect," Minister Fernando said. However, Mundalama Police Inspector Ajith Prasanna said he had received no new instructions regarding the ban. "The only order we have received is the order by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau regarding a ban on mining and transport of sand in some parts of the peninsula," he said.

Earlier this month the bureau was forced to crack down on illegal sand mining, following strong protests by residents in the Kalpitiya, Mundel and Daluwa areas. The Sunday Times last week highlighted the hazards of sand mining in the Puttalam district and exposed a racket that had the patronage of some politicians and businessmen.

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