Permits required for sand transportation, mining

The Government has reintroduced the earlier requirement of issuing permits for the transportation of sand, soil and clay, which was suspended two years ago.

This decision has been taken following protests of environmentalists and environmental conservation associations against the easing of restrictions by the government that paved the way for large scale sand mining.

Environmentalists have vehemently protested against the removal of the permit system and strict regulations on the transport of construction material resulting in extensive mining and severe damage to the river eco systems and other water bodies in the districts of Puttalam, Polonnaruwa and the Eastern Province.

Polonnaruwa was the key area for sand miners as the authorities have not been able to combat the menace being carried out with the patronage of top officials and provincial politicians with high government backing, they alleged.

In 2019, the Cabinet took a decision to remove the existing requirement on obtaining permits for sand transportation which indirectly benefited sand miners with political patronage, several environmentalists pointed out.

It has become a money spinner and a lucrative business for political stooges in rural areas with the rapid increase in sand mining countrywide as there were no restrictions, a leading environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara complained.

As a result of the protest campaign of environmentalists and the subsequent Appeal Court ruling of suspending the government’s move of removing restrictions of sand transportation after hearing a petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), the President has decided to review the permit scheme.

He appointed a Task Force to introduce a system to issue permits while giving priority to environmental conservation.

Presidential Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera has issued a circular recently to regulate the mining, transportation and trade of metals, sand, soil, gravel and clay.

The circular stated that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) should take necessary steps to completely reorganise the programme that has been implemented so far with regard to the issuance of permits.

Polonnaruwa was the key area for sand miners as the authorities have not been able to combat the menace being carried out with the patronage of top officials and provincial politicians with high government backing, they alleged.