(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Cabinet of Ministers at the cabinet meeting chaired by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday decided to cancel permits issued for the transportation of rocks, sand, and soil with effect from today (Dec 05).
However, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the cancelling the permits to transport the building materials will be subjected to a one-week trial period.
He said a committee has been appointed to look into the effect of suspension of licenses on the market. The Committee is expected to observe whether the prices of the building materials increase due to licensing requirements for transportation and whether raw materials are available to the public as needed.
He said the revocation of the licenses is expected to reduce the price of sand, soil or stone and accelerate the production process.
The Minister further stated that if the desired objectives can be achieved during the trial period, the Cabinet will look into future decisions after the inquiry period.
Minister Gunawardena pointed out that only the permits for transportation have been cancelled and none of the legal regulations imposed in mining of the raw materials have been changed.
Accordingly there is no possibility of any environmental problems or other problems, the cabinet spokesman said.
