5-Year Review Launched into Sri Lanka’s Mineral Licensing

COLOMBO (News 1st); A special audit has been launched into the licensing procedures and overall operations of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), according to Acting Auditor General G.H.D. Dharmapala.

The audit will cover key areas including the issuance of mineral exploration and mining licenses, the rehabilitation of mined lands, and the conditions imposed during the licensing process. 

The review will span the past five years.

This move follows revelations of irregularities during a recent Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) session, where GSMB officials were summoned and questioned regarding procedural lapses and governance concerns.

The Acting Auditor General emphasized that the audit will take into account all findings presented to COPE.