News
Waduwaketugala excavations suspended
By Ifham Nizam
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday ordered the suspension of the excavation permit at Waduwaketugala in Dambadeniya.
The Minister did so when a number of environmental organisations expressed concern about the controversial permit.
Amaraweera’s attention was drawn to the blasting of parts of the Waduwaketugale rock, an ancient heritage site in Dambadeniya.
Accordingly, he instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Regional Engineer to suspend the licence issued to the quarry there.
Discussions were also held with the Department of Archaeology.
However, the Minister said that an investigation report on the quarry would be obtained and the next steps would be decided after considering whether there was any environmental damage.
The Minister of Environment has requested the Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau in writing to submit a report regarding the excavations at Embilipitiya Sankapala Galbokka Kanda.
The Chairman was also directed to submit those reports to him within one week.