Former Northern Provincial Council member Durairasa has pointed out that during the Corona travel restrictions, there have been reports of resource exploitation in some parts of the Mullaitheevu district, as well as overcrowding and out-of-district arrivals.
He further commented,
“Travel restrictions have been imposed on all parts of the country due to the current Covid-19 abnormality.
As such, there have been reports of resource exploitation in some parts of the Mullaitheevu district during these travel restrictions, as well as overcrowding and out-of-district arrivals.
Especially in the Mullaitheevu-Thiyagunagar area, sand dunes and coastal sand are continuously dug up and exploited during these travel restrictions. The people of the area have informed me about this.
The people in that area fear that the digging of the coastal sand dunes will cause seawater to seep into their residential area.
The people have informed the Grama Niladhari about this. The Grama Niladhari has inquired into the matter.
In this situation, it is reported that those who are engaged in sand digging there have shown the permit for digging sand to the Grama Niladhari.
Safety and health officials say people can go out of their way to meet basic needs in the current state of emergency. In this context, are such exploits essential during this time of travel restrictions?
Who gave permission for such exploitation in this age of travel restrictions?
Locals also said that sand excavations were taking place while the police were there
Similarly, our people there report that in the mornings and evenings, fishermen from the South gather in large numbers on the beach to engage in illegal fishing activities with surukku valai in kokilai back water.
Do the health and safety sectors that need to be addressed in this regard support this move?
It is reported that many fishermen from southern Sri Lanka visit Mullaitheevu district during these travel restrictions.
The security forces must control the entry of such outsiders.
In addition, the relevant parties should take immediate action to curb the sand digging and overcrowding.”
