It is reported that twenty-two stone quarries, which have been operated illegally without mining permits and without paying taxes due to the government for more than 15 years, have been banned in Nawalapitiya Imbulpitiya Watta Holgama area.
Twenty-two owners who ran them have also been arrested.
Gampola Special Task Force officers and Geology and Mines Bureau officers have conducted this raid together.
Holgama area of Nawalapitiya is famous for slab stones and it is said that the stone species in this area is famous for various designs including tiles made of granite.