Former Minister of State Lohan Ratwatte and Chairman of the National Gem and Jewelery Authority Thilak Weerasinghe are reportedly involved in a corrupt gem mining racket.
The Kiriella United Gem Miners’ Association has sent a letter to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The letter states that the Kalugaga is carrying out this polluted gem mining business in the Haraniyawaka and Madabaddara areas in Ratnapura and that this is causing severe environmental damage in the area.
The letter also states that the Auditor General has pointed out in an audit report that the project is illegal. It is also stated that this operation is being carried out using innocent villagers who are receiving Samurdhi assistance and that all the gems of the highest value are being smuggled by this gang.
It also states that there is a strong public protest against this and that the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewelery Authority has stated that the Rajapaksas are involved in this. Mr. Lohan Ratwatte’s two sons, Chanuka Ratwatte and Johan Ratwatte, also visit the area daily and it is under their direct supervision, they said in the letter.
It is said that Ranlanka, the security guard of the National Gem and Jewelery Authority, has also been deployed at the site.
Accordingly, the union called for action to be taken to stop this massive environmental catastrophe and for them to take legal action.
However, the letter pointed out that although a group including Lohan Ratwatte was involved in the racket, they were involved in selling the Rajapaksas’ names.
By Supun Dharmasena, Eheliyagoda.