Permit mandatory for transporting sand deposited in cultivated lands

By Indika Sri Aravinda   

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has announced that obtaining a permit is mandatory for transporting sand accumulated in cultivated lands and paddy fields following recent landslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall.   

Director General of the Bureau, Deepani Weerakoon, said the Government levies a prescribed permit fee for the transportation of such sand. However, she clarified that a permit is not required for the removal of sand as part of mining activities in these specific circumstances.   

She noted that the permit fees collected from sand transportation are treated as state revenue and are credited to the Treasury. Although permits are generally required for both extraction and transportation of sand, the Bureau has exempted mining-related activities from the permit fee in this instance.   

Mrs. Weerakoon further said that sand accumulated in tanks, rivers and river basins will be released through a tender procedure, under the supervision of the Irrigation Department, in accordance with established regulations.