Sand mining permits in the Trincomalee district would be suspended from tomorrow for two weeks, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Chairman W.M.A.S. Iddawela said.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, he said the decision was taken after considering the malpractices and irregularities involving sand mining in the district.

“The issues related to the matter were raised by several public representatives at the Consultative Committee of the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry held in parliament last week,”

“It was decided at the meeting that there is a necessity to carry out a special investigation into the illegal sand mining activities in the district and decided to suspend the permits for two weeks until the investigations are over,” he said. (Sheain Fernandopulle)