FSP objects alleged moves by govt. to sell Pulmoddai mineral sand deposit

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has expressed strong objection towards the alleged moves undertaken by the government to sell the Pulmoddai mineral sand deposit to a Saudi-based company.

"The government is now attempting to sell these sand deposits at an extremely low cost of Rs 27,000 per sand cube to this Saudi company" FSP Spokesman Pubudu Jagoda said adding that the sand could not be sold at this price due to its richness in ilmenite - a mineral used to produce titanium.

He also pointed out that even a sand cube which does not possess much ilmenite is sold at over Rs 27,000 in the market.

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had previously tabled a cabinet proposal suggesting that the site be sold to India under a ‘Swiss Challenge’ public procurement procedure.

However, the cabinet had not approved this proposal which Mr. Jagoda claimed would have generated more income to the country than the current plans to sell it to the Saudi company.

The FSP Spokesman noted that his party is strongly opposed to these plans since the Pulmoddai sand deposit is an asset to the country. Accordingly, he said that measures would be taken to organise a protest demonstration against these moves in future.

(Reporting by Damith Wickaramasekara)