The Ministry of Urban & Sacred Area Development has taken action for a Cabinet Appointed Procurement committee (CAPC) to initiate procurement procedure to select a suitable dredging contractor by calling tenders internationally.

A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be appointed by the Treasury to assist CAPC, representing the Ministry of Urban and Sacred Area Development, Ministry of Finance, Sri-Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, Central Environmental Authority, and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

The Sri-Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLR&DC) is presently engaged in off-shore sand mining, pumping and supply of washed sand to the construction industry.

Accordingly 2.8 million cubic metres of off-shore sand are pumped and stock piled at the land belonging to SLLR&DC at Kerawalapitiya Muthurajawela. Up to now SLLR&DC has sold locally & internationally 1.2 million cubic metres of off-shore sand and is in negotiations with several other agencies to export the off shore sand, which brings foreign exchange to the country.

In addition, Colombo Katunayake Expressway (CKE) project contactor has also requested 1.75 million cubic meters of sand for the CKE project embankment filling.