In a joint raid by the Walana Panadura Central Anti-Corruption Unit and the Geological Survey Mining Bureau, 15 people and a huge stock of machinery used for a large-scale sand mining operation have been taken into custody.
The mining operation has been carried out under the auspices of a powerful politician from the South.
It has been revealed that the police raids and the implementation of law and order were thwarted by this powerful politician.
The operation has been carried out in the middle of a lush paddy field in Mamandala, Jansagama, in the Ambalantota police division.
At present, it is reported that the officers of the anti-corruption task force who conducted the raid have come under severe political pressure to release the persons and equipment arrested during the raid.
Police found that the land was virtually converted into a large-scale machinery workshop, and mining, storage, and the sale of mineral sand were carried out openly by this gang.
During this raid, police recovered 500 sand cubes obtained without permission and unauthorized excavation, six Kobelco SK200 type excavators, one Samitamo 210 type excavator, an 01 washing plant used for cleaning sand, various other machinery used for the operation, and three generators.
Officials Rasika Sanjiva and Nuwan Madhusanka, enforcement officers of the legal department of the Geological Survey and the Mines Bureau Head Office, joined the raid.
