Environment Minister orders Puttalam police to take action against destroyers of mangroves

By Ifham Nizam

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Puttalam Police to take action against those who have destroyed the mangrove at Pulidiwal in Mundalama.

The Minister did so after he was informed that two acres of mangrove forest had been cleared for a prawn farm.

Amaraweera directed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Mundalama Divisional Secretary to investigate the matter and submit a report.

The Environment Minister has been informed that the land was a private property belonging to an individual and the relevant authorities confirmed that he had destroyed the ecosystem claiming that it was done to set up a prawn farm.

Amaraweera, on Wednesday night, telephoned the HQI of the Puttalam Police Station to inquire what action he has taken.

The Minister also said that it was due to the inefficiency and negligence of some officials that such illegal activities were taking place countrywide.  

Amaraweera said the government officials such as Grama Niladharis, Divisional Secretaries, Environment Officers, Development Officers and Agrarian service officers also working there had to get tough with those who harmed the environment and institute legal action against them.