Soil excavation racket continues in Minuwangoda

By Ashanthi Warunasuriya-Sunday, April 15, 2018

A soil excavation racket is continuing in Minuwangoda in collaboration with underworld members and regional politicians. Area residents and others revealed that the racket involves ransom, bribes and threats.

The racket, which has been operating for several years, had been highlighted in The Sunday Leader earlier as well.

Illegal soil excavation is said to be taking place, largely at Waliya Richard Watta, near the Yagodamulla cemetery, and behind the Kotugoda Post Office.

Area residents feared that heavy rain in the area could cause earth slips if the illegal soil excavation continues in this manner.

Residents keep their concerns to themselves a powerful politicians and underworld members are involved in or support the racket.

Sources said that illegal soil excavation taking place behind the Kotugoda Post Office is seen as a major operation. It is alleged that the soil excavated from the location is transported to construct the external stretch of the expressway by the Road Development Authority (RDA).

The Sunday Leader learns that between 9 a.m. to 4 pm, once every five minutes, trucks loaded with soil operate along the route in the area. The location has a small air-conditioned office in a container to inspect and control the process. The location lies on a large mountain connecting the Kotugoda Ariliya Uyana. Excavating soil in this manner from one side of the mountain poses a risk to the stability of the opposite end of the mountain and this can cause earth slips.

However, Divisional Secretary Mrs. K.A.S. Lakshreeni Gunathilake said that the soil excavation in the area is taking place with approval and is not illegal.

Underworld member ‘Pas Podda’ was accused of being involved in the racket.

The underworld member has been jailed over a murder. He was arrested for possessing the weapons used for the murder and was later sentenced to prison.

However, The Sunday Leader learns the underworld member is still leading the soil excavation racket from prison using the telephone number beginning with 075.