Minimise environmental damage when extracting sand

The Environment, Wildlife, Lands and Land Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena said that despite permission being granted to transport rocks, sand and soil, extracting such materials in a way causing damage to the environment would never be permitted.

A bill containing the new laws with regards to this will be tabled in parliament, the Minister added.

He also said that the direct benefit of granting permission to transport rocks and sand, would be price reduction of these materials and the elimination of profiteers.

According to sources, the price of three cubic meters of sand are priced between Rs. 15,000 to Rs.20,000 at Anuradhapura and are sold at a price of over Rs. 60,000 in Colombo.

People who construct houses are faced with inconveniences owing to this situation and it has affected

According to sources, the price of three cubic meters of sand are priced between Rs. 15,000 to Rs.20,000 at Anuradhapura and are sold at a price of over Rs. 60,000 in Colombo

construction activities as well. The Minister said that issuing of permits to transport rocks and sand had been abolished in order to provide relief to the public. Laws on the extraction of soil and sand would be further expanded and strict laws would be imposed on mining sand and soil from areas which were prohibited by the Department of Geology, he said. He also said that laws would be imposed by impounding vehicles that transport sand and soil extracted illegally.