News
Residents complain Illicit mining of limestone in Vadamarachchi South
By Dinasena Ratugamage
Residents of Vadamarachchi South in Jaffna have complained about unauthorised limestone quarrying in their region that has disrupted agricultural activities in several villages and caused water sources to dry up. Their complaints were formally lodged with the Jaffna District Development Committee on Wednesday (01 January.)
According to villagers from Mandu and Vamppaiy, large pits have been excavated to dig out limestone by illicit miners. They allege that the extracted limestone is being transported to Trincomalee and sold for cement production.
Local residentspointed out that the limestone in the Vadamarachchi South region plays a crucial role in water conservation due to the area’s unique geographical composition. They warned that continued quarrying has severely depleted water sources, further jeopardising the region’s agriculture and livelihoods.
The affected communities have appealed to the District Development Committee to immediately cease these quarrying activities. While a hunger strike was previously organised to protest the issue, residents lamented that authorities have yet to take meaningful action.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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