Two (02) persons apprehended while loading sand in area prohibited for sand mining

During a raid conducted by the Navy and the Police, two (02) persons were apprehended while loading sand in an area prohibited for sand mining at Katuwewa Aruwa in Hambantota on 31^st December 2019.

The Navy, being an active participant in environmental conservation efforts, conducted a joint raid in coordination with the Police and made this apprehension for illegal mining of sand at a location which is not permitted for the given purpose.

Even if the Katuwewa Aruwa area in Hambantota has been declared as a region which is not permitted for sand mining, the suspects have engaged in this illegal act. Accordingly, the 02 persons were apprehended. A lorry, ½ cube of sand and a shovel had also been seized.

The apprehended persons have been identified as residents of Suriyaweva, aged 43 and 48. The accused along with the lorry, sand and other items belonging to them were handed over to the Hambantota Police for onward legal action.