The Cabinet has decided to allow the dredging and transporting of sand without a licence from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Environment Minister Anura Priyadharashana Yapa told Parliament today.

He said these laws were being relaxed for the greater convenience of the people and with the intention of keeping the sand prices stable.

The minister said the laws were relaxed in January but this was not found to be sufficient and therefore the law was being further relaxed. An individual is now allowed to dredge and transport sand from his or her own land without a licence while allowing the transport of sand from a building material store to building site. (Yohan Perera)