Sri Lanka, April 2 -- The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) is to file a complaint against the Gem and Jewellery Authority for allowing illegal gem mining, it was reported yesterday.

COPE which met with its head MP Nishantha Samaraweera recently has questioned the Gem and Jewellery Authority on the illegal mining of gems in Heraniyawaka.

The committee has questioned the activity of a certain company and the officers attached to the authority had failed to come up with effective answers. COPE chief had then requested the committee secretary to lodge a complaint with the Bribery Commission. It was revealed that mining has been allowed without issuing licences.

It was also revealed that a consignment of gems worth Rs 250 million which...