Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Puttalam HQI to arrest the suspects who destroyed the mangroves in Mundalama, Pulidiwal.
The media recently reported that two acres of mangroves were cleared in Viruththodai, Pulidiwal, Mundalama.
Minister Amaraweera inquired about the issue from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Mundalama Divisional Secretary (MDS).
The Minister was then informed that the media reports that the mangrove land had been cleared for prawn farming were true, a Ministry Media Unit statement said.
According to the statement, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had called the Puttalam Police Station HQI and instructed him to take action against the suspects. The Media reported several such incidents in the Puttalam District recently. The Minister stated that officials’ inefficiency and negligence result in such incidents.
The Grama Niladharis, Divisional Secretary, Environment Officers, Development Officers and Agrarian Service Officers are working there, but they do not prevent such incidents, the Minister told. The Minister had later directed the CEA to summon environmental officers for a meeting to discuss the shortcomings in environmental protection.
