(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment has stated that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd have failed to obtain proper results from the valuable land resources of Sri Lanka and instructed to expedite the ongoing exploration activities to identify places of value in the island.
During a discussion with officials of the two state institution, Minister Amaraweera stressed that although the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has obtained exploration permits for certain individuals and companies, the exploration activities are not being carried out properly and efficiently. Due to this the country will lose a large amount of foreign exchange, he added.
“About 10 year have been passed since some companies and individuals obtained exploration licenses. But they do not do proper and efficient exploration. As a result the country loses a large amount of foreign exchange available to the country. We know that it was difficult for the government to find $ 08 million to buy gas from a gas ship that came to our country recently. However, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Lanka Mineral Sands have not been able to reap the benefits of a large number of valuable land resources. If you cannot make even a small amount of money like at least $ 08- $ 10 million, there is a big problem,” he said.
The Minister further stated that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Lanka Mineral Sands should carry out joint exploration work efficiently and extensively. Places with valuable land resources should be identified and mapped and no settlements or other buildings should be constructed in such places, he instructed.
“There are a large number of places with valuable land resources. But they cannot be used properly. The reason is that the people have been resettled in those places without looking into the land resources. Now the people living there cannot be evicted. Nor can they take advantage of the valuable earthly resources that lie within the earth’s interior. Also, large buildings have been erected in some places. It would be good if environmental assessment reports also focus on the valuable geological resources in the interior of this earth. Today, due to these actions our country has become a beggar while standing on a treasure.”
