Sri Lanka, Oct. 26 -- The Government has decided to devolve mining permit authority from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to Local Councils after the floods and landslides worsened due to unregulated mining and torrential rains.

Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister A.H.M.H. Abayarathna said yesterday that steps are being taken to empower the Secretaries of Pradeshiya Sabhas to approve or deny permits for quarrying, sand, and gravel mining within their areas.

"We are preparing legislation for this," the Minister said. "The new law will grant Pradeshiya Sabha Secretaries the authority to regulate mining in their regions."

The decision follows growing concerns that years of unregulated mini...