Sri Lankan authorities receive over 300 applications for licenses to mine gold in Kelani River

Sri Lankan authorities have received over 300 applications yesterday for licenses to search for gold in the Kelani River in the Pugoda area.
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has announced that permits are now being issued under a license scheme to mine the river bed for gold. GSMB Chairman, Dr. N.P. Wijayananda has said that only people from the area and are above the age of 18 years are eligible to apply for permits. He has explained that confirmation of each individual is to be obtained from the area Grama Niladari and the Division Secretary before the GMSB issues permits. A mobile unit was established yesterday in the Kumarimulla area in Pugoda by the Dompe Divisional Secretariat and the GSMB. Applications were given to area residents who had the Rs. 2,000 deposit for the application form. The license issued by the GSMB will be valid for a period of three months. Villagers in Kumarimulla in Pugoda last week found small quantities of gold in the Kelani River resulting in a gold rush in the area.