In a recent Tweet, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam questioned authorities regarding a ship that had anchored off the coast of Batticaloa. The Tweet said that sand is being dredged from the sea and that another ship is transporting sand according to local fishermen. “Government officials were turned away by uniformed men with weapons

Who can provide answers?” the Tweet further read. Following this revelation, environmental groups drew possible links to large scale mineral extraction activities taking place along the Eastern coast.  The ship had been anchored since December 15 and was identified as Navimar 3, registered under the flag of St. Kitts & Nevis of the Caribbean archipelago. 

"I informed the Divisional Secretary who deployed a team of officials including the Grama Niladhari to inquire about the incident. Once they moved closer to the ship they have noticed another boat with armed men. Thereafter they have returned without making any inquiries, - Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam"

Unknown vessel with weapons  

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, MP Shanakiyan said that he informed the District Secretary about this ship which had been anchored off the coast of Batticaloa since December 13. “But he wasn’t informed about such a ship. Thereafter I informed the Divisional Secretary who deployed a team of officials including the Grama Niladhari to inquire about the incident. Once they moved closer to the ship they have noticed another boat with armed men. Thereafter they have returned without making any inquiries.”

“Local fishermen informed me that they saw another ship nearing this vessel during the night. Subsequently I received a reply to my Tweet from the Superintendent of Customs in Trincomalee who said that it had been anchored due to a shortage of fuel and was travelling from Bangladesh to Dubai carrying limestone. The ship that the fishermen saw had loaded fuel to this vessel. I was also made aware of the need for limestone to make fertilizers. Right now we do not know why this ship was anchored here, where it is heading to etc.”

"The ship had been anchored for over a week and if there was an illegal operation underway, the Navy should have arrested the ship, - Dr Ravindra Kariyawasam Convener of Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies"

Alleged titanium mining operation?

However, environmentalists opined that it could be a possible titanium mining operation in the sea. “The ship had been anchored for over a week and if there was an illegal operation underway, the Navy should have arrested the ship,” opined Dr Ravindra Kariyawasam Convener of Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies. “Perhaps the state is aware of this operation and is maintaining its silence. A country’s resources belong to its citizens,” he said further. 

"So far nobody has sought approval for such a mining operation. I have instructed the relevant authorities including the security forces to halt any such operation - Eng. Sajjana de Silva - Director General -GSMB"

GSMB writes to authorities 

However, if such an operation is underway, approval need to be sought from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. “So far nobody has sought approval for such a mining operation,” opined GSMB Director General Engineer Sajjana De Silva. “I have instructed relevant authorities including the security forces to halt any such operation that is being carried out.”

"It is a ship transporting sand from UAE to Bangladesh. But since it faced an emergency following a fuel shortage it has sought shelter closer to the shore. Thereafter they have nominated a local agent to load fuel - Navy Spokesperson Capt. Indika de Silva"

Coast conservation department informs Sri Lanka Navy 

When contacted, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department Director General Eng. R. A. S Ranawaka said that although they were informed about a ship that was anchored off the Batticaloa coast, they didn’t know much details about the reason for anchoring. “We have informed the Navy to look into it,” he said.   

"We do not have much details about the reason for anchoring. We have informed the Navy to look into it - Eng. R. A. S Ranawaka - Director General, Coastal Conservation Department"

Only an emergency anchoring: Navy spokesperson 

Denying allegations regarding a possible sand or titanium mining operation, Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva said that the ship had been anchored since December 15 following a fuel shortage. “It is a deck barge that is being towed by a tug. It is a ship transporting sand from UAE to Bangladesh. But since it faced an emergency following a fuel shortage it has sought shelter closer to the shore. Thereafter they have nominated a local agent to load fuel.”
When asked about an alleged incident of armed groups preventing officials from moving towards the ship, Captain De Silva said that no such incident was reported. “There’s a Navy camp closer to the ship and it has been under the Navy radar.”
As per the latest update, the vessel has now started sailing towards Trincomalee after loading fuel from the local shipping company. On vessel tracking maps, the vessel has been spotted near the Hambantota coast.