The authorities had a discussion with the residents in Pugoda and Dompe area on the mining of river bed for as they have already started sifting the sand off the river bottom to find small pieces of gold.
The Bureau has earlier banned sifting sand from the river bottom.
Chairman of the Bureau Dr. N.T WIjayananda has told the state-run radio SLBC that people can now purchase a permit valid for 3 months for Rs. 2,000.
A mobile service will be held on Monday to issue permits and more permits will be issued after the mobile service, the SLBC reported.
However, the outsiders to the area will not be allowed to mine gold, the Chairman has stressed.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/May27_1338091811CH.php