Prez tells Navy Commander to arrest illegal sand miners

President Maithripala Sirisena has said he instructed the Navy Commander to arrest sand racketeers.

He said this while addressing the Environmental Pioneer Presidential Medal Awards Ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Wednesday.

Referring to the recent incident in Trincomalee where there was a commotion when the Navy was attempting to arrest illegal sand miners, the President said the Navy should act without fear or favour.

“We all know that there was a tense situation in Trincomalee when the Navy tried to arrest illegal sand miners. I instructed the Navy Commander not to allow any illegal sand mining and arrest those engaged in this racket,” the President said.