4 November 2022 09:55 am Views - 333
Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) Chairman Senarath Hewage yesterday denied allegations that he was involved in mining sand by obtaining a license to a company owned by him while being the head of the institution which is involved in granting licences for such mining.
Hewage told a media briefing that he resigned from the company which enjoyed the licence before he assumed the post of GSMB Chairman. “I left the company in January and assumed duties as GSMB Chairman on February 10, 2022. I had nothing to do with the company when I accepted the post. Nothing illegal has happened as per the scenario in this context,” he said.
However he said there has been illegal mining of sand by others. He said around 4,000 cubes of sand are being mined illegally in Kantale for a day. There is political patronage for these illegal mining of sand, “ he said.
“There is an invisible hand which is trying to destabilize GSMB which I am trying to reorganize and convert to an institution which contributes to the gross national production of the country. We cancelled 62 mining licences since I took over as no industrial activity has been carried out by these companies which hold licences. This is why they try to attack me and prevent the work which I carry out,” he said.
Also he said he was not aware that the GSMB Director General has been served a charge sheet. Further Hewage said he would file legal action against those who have made allegations against him including a Buddhist monk.