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Ratnapura, particularly Kiriella, turning into Wild West?
Authorities turning blind eye to mechanised gem mining
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Some powerful businessmen in Ratnapura were engaged in unauthorised mechanised gem mining with the backing of powerful politicians, and their illegal operations caused severe environmental damage and affected the lives of many people, Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) alleged yesterday.
Chamikara told The Island that those businessmen only cared about raking in profits. “However, thousands of people are suffering because they face a serious shortage of water, threat of landslides. There is nothing they can do because politicians and businessmen have suppressed their voice.”
Chamikara alleged that the Police and the Gem and Jewellery Authority had refused to carry out their duties. Officers did not raid the illegal mining sites.
“There has been an increase in the number of licences issued for gem mining. This has encouraged illegal mechanical mining. Gems are expensive but the long-term damage to the environment and the society will be greater.”
Many places along the Ve Ganga were being dug up with backhoes, bulldozers and extractors, and mechanical excavation, was damaging the water sources of the area, he said.
“When the excavated soil is cleaned, a large volume of sediment gets mixed with the river water. Mechanical mining also damages riverbanks, deepens the rivers and affects underground water levels. Because of this, many people are not able to use their wells or to supply water to their farms,” he said.
Chamikara said that there were many adverse social and environmental effects even when mechanical gem mining was done legally. Most of the authorised mechanical mining operations were done in paddy fields, in the Kiriella Divisional Secretariat area, he said. Approval of the Department of Agrarian Services was needed for gem mining in paddy lands and department officials had authorised the mining of some of the most fertile paddy lands in Ratnapura although excavation makes it impossible for these paddy fields to be used again.
“The Gem and Jewellery Authority only allows mechanical mining in sites over an acre. There are many such sites in the district now. Those engaged in this practice, pump out water from the paddy fields to make it easy to dig the mine. However, when they do this, it becomes impossible for nearby paddy fields to operate as well because there is no water. Then there is the depositing sediment in nearby lands when excavated soil is cleaned. This has made hundreds of acres of paddy land uncultivable, but the Department of Agrarian Services has allowed the practice to go on.”
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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600 hrs on Friday [12th December 2025]
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Rideegama, Mawathagama and Mallawapitiya in the Kurunegala district, and Yatawatta, Ambanganga Korale, Wilgamuwa, Laggala Pallegama, Rattota, Pallepola, Naula, Matale and Ukuwela in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella, Aranayaka, Galigamuwa and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Thalawakele, Walapane, Kothmale West, Nuwara Eliya, Mathurata, Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Ambagamuwa Korale and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kolonna, Kahawaththa and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Balangoda, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Kiriella and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
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Sri Lanka grateful for the support extended by the United States and other friendly nations following the recent disaster – President
During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today (11), Ms. Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, expressed her confidence in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership in steering Sri Lanka’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. She affirmed that the United States stands ready to provide any necessary support to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery.
Ms. Hooker also conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims of the disaster and expressed satisfaction at being able to extend assistance during this challenging period.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conveyed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the President of the United States and the government in dispatching various relief teams to the country during this challenging period. The President also acknowledged the sincere support offered to Sri Lanka by all friendly nations globally, including the United States.
President Dissanayake highlighted that Sri Lanka encountered this disaster while the nation’s economy was on the path to stabilization and economic indicators were showing improvement. He emphasized the need for future focus on enhancing the livelihoods of those affected and on the long-term development of infrastructure facilities.
The President stated that restoring infrastructure, including highways and railways, as well as key income sources such as agriculture, livestock and small to medium-sized enterprises, which have been devastated by floods and landslides, will require time. He also expressed the expectation of support from all friendly nations in this effort.
The Under Secretary of State emphasized that the United States has drawn its attention to restarting discussions regarding US tariffs. Additionally, she expressed support for enhancing tourism between the United States and Sri Lanka, as well as for the growth of trade and maritime operations between the two nations. Furthermore, she highlighted U.S. support for Sri Lanka’s initiatives to combat drug-related issues.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that a significant number of American tourists have visited the country recently and that Sri Lanka anticipates a continued increase in such arrivals. He acknowledged the support of the U.S. government in assisting the Sri Lankan people to overcome the ongoing disaster and improve their quality of life.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and members of the U.S. diplomatic mission, including U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chang.
The Deputy Registrars of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters commended the government, led by the President, for its initiative to rebuild the lives of the people and restore the country following the recent disaster, expressing their blessings for these efforts.
The remarks were made by Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Maha Viharaya Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, Rajakiya Panditha Darshanapathi Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero, Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya & Chief Incumbent of the historic Badulu Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Dr.Muruddeniye Dhammarathana Thero and Diyawadana Nilame of the historic Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa, . Nilanga Dela, during a meeting with the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
The discussions focused on relief and resettlement activities for communities affected in the Kandy district.
The Diyawadana Nilame highlighted the role that the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic can play in supporting resettlement efforts.
In support of the rebuilding initiative, the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa also made a financial contribution to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, was also present at the meeting.
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
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