{"id":34335,"date":"2025-10-30T15:33:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/?p=34335"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:50:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:20:44","slug":"an-investigation-and-inspection-unit-for-the-geological-survey-and-mines-bureau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/an-investigation-and-inspection-unit-for-the-geological-survey-and-mines-bureau\/","title":{"rendered":"An Investigation and Inspection Unit for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau&#8230;&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"34335\" class=\"elementor elementor-34335\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-626863c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"626863c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3de0c99b\" data-id=\"3de0c99b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47ef9250 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47ef9250\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 29-01-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"87\" data-end=\"484\">An Investigation and Inspection Unit for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau&#8230;<\/p><p data-start=\"87\" data-end=\"484\">A special discussion between the officials of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development, Mr. Sunil Handunnetti, was held on the 28th at the GSMB premises in Pitakotte. The Bureau, which had previously operated under the Ministry of Environment, was brought under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development from October 18.<\/p><p data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"764\">Established in 1903 as the <em data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"547\">Ceylon Mineral Survey Department<\/em>, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau is responsible for mineral exploration, issuing mining licenses, managing exploration and lease rights, maintaining laboratory services, and providing geological information.<\/p><p data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"1229\">During the discussion, Minister Sunil Handunnetti stated that the current contribution of the mineral resources sector to Sri Lanka\u2019s economy remains at a very low level. He emphasized that to maximize this contribution, a <strong data-start=\"989\" data-end=\"1029\">national policy on mineral resources<\/strong> should be developed, with clear <strong data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1091\">guidelines and frameworks<\/strong> to direct related activities. The Minister further highlighted the importance of <strong data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1191\">value addition<\/strong> to the country&#8217;s mineral resources.<\/p><p data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1534\">He also mentioned that the government has already identified the barriers that have hindered the development of the mineral resources industry in the past and assured that measures will be taken promptly to remove those obstacles and properly position the mineral sector within the Sri Lankan economy.<\/p><p data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1930\">Minister Handunnetti inspected the premises of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, where officials briefed him on various ongoing issues \u2014 including staff-related matters, licensing problems, legal concerns, and transport difficulties. The Minister emphasized the urgent need to <strong data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1869\">establish an Investigation and Inspection Unit<\/strong> within the Bureau to address these challenges effectively.<\/p><p data-start=\"1932\" data-end=\"2236\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">The event was also attended by Ministry Secretary <strong data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"2009\">Ms. Thilaka Jayasundara<\/strong>, GSMB Chairman <strong data-start=\"2025\" data-end=\"2049\">Mr. Saman Jayasinghe<\/strong>, Director General and Geologist <strong data-start=\"2082\" data-end=\"2107\">Ms. Deepani Weerakoon<\/strong>, several Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Industries, and a number of senior officials and staff members of the Bureau.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-98d3be5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"98d3be5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ad09f5c\" data-id=\"ad09f5c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d80a2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7d80a2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 29-01-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34345\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-1-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65f9cfd\" data-id=\"65f9cfd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d8eecf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2d8eecf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34344\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.51-PM-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5528213\" data-id=\"5528213\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7b61d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f7b61d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34339\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.55-PM-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f6b6a59 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"f6b6a59\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ed6e632\" data-id=\"ed6e632\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fef2df9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fef2df9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34343\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-1-2.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53b0c93\" data-id=\"53b0c93\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e70ebc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6e70ebc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34341\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-68c03bd\" data-id=\"68c03bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f54023 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8f54023\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34342\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.53-PM-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8ecad19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"8ecad19\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b8332ec\" data-id=\"b8332ec\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc7c171 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cc7c171\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34337\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-2-2.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-961d14b\" data-id=\"961d14b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-124f16c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"124f16c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34338\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.56-PM-1-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7122e58\" data-id=\"7122e58\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0364cd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0364cd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34363\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.54-PM-5.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e357d06\" data-id=\"e357d06\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd9a4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1bd9a4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-34340\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-2.44.52-PM-3.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An Investigation and Inspection Unit for the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau&#8230; A special discussion between the officials of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development, Mr. Sunil Handunnetti, was held on the 28th at the GSMB premises in Pitakotte. The Bureau, which had previously operated under the Ministry of Environment, was brought under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development from October 18. Established in 1903 as the Ceylon Mineral Survey Department, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau is responsible for mineral exploration, issuing mining licenses, managing exploration and lease rights, maintaining laboratory services, and providing geological information. During the discussion, Minister Sunil Handunnetti stated that the current contribution of the mineral resources sector to Sri Lanka\u2019s economy remains at a very low level. He emphasized that to maximize this contribution, a national policy on mineral resources should be developed, with clear guidelines and frameworks to direct related activities. The Minister further highlighted the importance of value addition to the country&#8217;s mineral resources. He also mentioned that the government has already identified the barriers that have hindered the development of the mineral resources industry in the past and assured that measures will be taken promptly to remove those obstacles and properly position the mineral sector within the Sri Lankan economy. Minister Handunnetti inspected the premises of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, where officials briefed him on various ongoing issues \u2014 including staff-related matters, licensing problems, legal concerns, and transport difficulties. The Minister emphasized the urgent need to establish an Investigation and Inspection Unit within the Bureau to address these challenges effectively. The event was also attended by Ministry Secretary Ms. Thilaka Jayasundara, GSMB Chairman Mr. Saman Jayasinghe, Director General and Geologist Ms. Deepani Weerakoon, several Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Industries, and a number of senior officials and staff members of the Bureau.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":34322,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[44,1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34335"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34380,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34335\/revisions\/34380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.industry.gov.lk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}