Issuance of heavy mineral mining licences temporarily suspended

2026-02-07 - 12:19

The Government has decided to temporarily suspend the issuance of all mineral exploration and mining licences, except for materials related to the construction sector, until the new National Mineral Policy is approved by the Cabinet and enacted through Parliament, according to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti. The Minister made this statement at a special media briefing held yesterday (06) at the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. He clarified that the suspension does not apply to essential materials for the housing and construction sector, such as sand and stone. However, all exploration and mining licences for heavy minerals, including ilmenite, rutile, zircon and garnet, have been suspended until the new policy is formally introduced. Further remarks made by the Minister at the media briefing are as follows: 1. New National Mineral Policy and digitalisation A new national policy aimed at maximising benefits to the nation from Sri Lanka’s mineral resources has now been prepared and submitted to the Cabinet. The relevant guidelines are expected to be gazetted and presented to Parliament before the end of March. To prevent discretionary decision-making and to ensure transparency, steps are also being taken to fully digitalise the entire licensing process. 2. Actual situation regarding mineral sand mining in Mirijjawila The Minister emphasised that no private entity has been granted permission under the present Government to remove mineral sands from the Mirijjawila area. He revealed that a letter issued in September 2024 related only to transportation and did not constitute a valid licence for exploration or mining. Accordingly, the Minister firmly rejected false reports circulating on social media. 3. Curbing illegal mining and establishment of a new raid unit The Minister noted that a significant volume of national resources has been lost due to illegal mining carried out in the past through the misuse of political influence. A large number of legal cases are already pending in relation to illegal mining and the non-payment of state dues. He further stated that approval has been granted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a “rapid raid unit” to suppress such rackets in the future. Also present at the media briefing were Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mahesh Abeysekera, Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau J. M. S. N. Jayasinghe, and Director (Geologist) D. P. R. Weerakoon.