PARLIAMENT

Hon. E.M. Basnayaka,—To ask the Minister of Environment,— (1)

(a) Will he inform this House—

(i) separately, of the number of sand piers located along the major rivers, tributaries, creeks, and canals and of the number of people engaged in occupations related to them;

(ii) of the number of  those that are operated legally, out of the number of piers referred to above;

(iii) whether he is aware that there are illegal sand piers as well;

(iv) if so, of the legal action that will be taken against such illegal sand piers; and

(v) of the measures to be taken regarding the environmental harm caused by sand mining?

(b) Will he also inform this House —

(i) whether the annual demand for sand needed for construction activities in Sri Lanka has been estimated;

(ii) whether it is possible to meet that demand; 

(iii) if not, whether alternative ways are available to meet the demand;

(iv) of the new sources of sand available in the country;

(v) whether priority will be given to the new sources of sand referred to above; and

(vi) if not, of the reasons for it? 

(c) If not, why?