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| Mannar youths staged protest today against ilmenite sand mining activities in the island. |
Youths in Mannar staged a protest today (August 6) against ilmenite sand mining activities in the district alleging that the island’s unique ecological and cultural heritage is under imminent risk due to ongoing mining activities.
Organized by youths alone as an awareness campaign on the potential dangers the district is facing and the challenges to the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on its fragile eco systems.
The youths alleged that the ongoing sand mining activities endangers coastal protection, freshwater aquifers and marine biodiversity while stressing that these environmental consequences are irreversible.
A signature campaign was also launched following the protest march demanding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to revoke all existing permits and approvals related to ilmenite sand mining and declare Mannar island as a protected coastal ecological zone.
The protest came in the wake of tensions reported within the island yesterday when locals opposed to vehicles carrying equipment to fix windmills in the region arrived last night. Locals prevented the vehicles entering the main island but they were taken into the island last midnight with the assistance of security forces.
The youths' protest which commenced yesterday is to continue tomorrow as well. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 6/2025)
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