Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne on Wednesday endorsed the certificate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, bringing the legislation into force as the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, Parliament sources said.

The Bill, which amends the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, was passed by Parliament on May 19.

The new law introduces a series of reforms aimed at modernising tax administration procedures, improving compliance and enforcement mechanisms, enhancing the accuracy of tax calculations and deductions, and strengthening transparency within the tax system.

The amendments also support broader economic policy objectives and include measures designed to reinforce anti-money laundering safeguards.Among the key provisions of the Act is the mandatory use of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for specified high-value financial transactions.

The legislation also introduces revisions to the calculation of taxable income, clarifies tax exemptions applicable to certain projects and business entities, and expands the scope for information disclosure to relevant authorities.

The amendments are expected to improve the efficiency of tax administration while facilitating greater accountability and regulatory oversight.With the Speaker’s endorsement of the certificate, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill has now become law as the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026.

UNP Kandy District Leader and Senior Vice President Naveen Dissanayake has called for the reunification of forces aligned with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, arguing that a new political direction for the country can only emerge through such an alliance.

Addressing a meeting of UNP district electorate organisers and party activists at the Sri Pushpadana Society Hall in Kandy on Tuesday, Dissanayake said the country’s political landscape required the combination of “the head of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the body of Sajith Premadasa” to create a formidable political force capable of challenging the government.

He said the opposition could not effectively respond to emerging political developments without uniting with the majority of those who had previously belonged to the UNP.

“If we can come together with those who were once part of our own party, the road to victory will be much easier,” Dissanayake said.

He stressed that building a strong opposition and eventually forming a government would require both factions to work under a common political platform.Dissanayake also revealed his ambition to contest for the position of Chief Minister of the Central Province in the future, noting that such a goal could only be achieved if the two political camps contested elections under a single nomination list.

Describing Wickremesinghe as the only leader capable of guiding the country forward, Dissanayake said a combination of Wickremesinghe’s experience and vision with Premadasa’s grassroots appeal would create a powerful political movement.

“If we combine Ranil’s intellectual vision with Sajith’s grassroots strength, we can successfully embark on this new political journey,” he said.

The senior UNP figure also urged party organisers to strengthen the party’s district-level organisational structure in preparation for future elections.

Emphasising the importance of reconnecting with voters, he said political leaders must engage directly with the people and regain public confidence.

“Power in politics is the power of the people. Political leaders must go among the masses and earn their trust,” he said.

Among those attending the meeting were former Central Provincial Councillor Shanthini Kongahage, former Provincial Councillor J. M. Lafir, former Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake, Hewaheta UNP Organiser Aruna Ravishankar and former Gangawata Korale Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman D. M. Wijerathne, along with party activists.

By SK Samaranayake

The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed until July 9 the hearing of the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The case was taken up before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed court that a revision application filed by the defence had been taken up before the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka on June 3 and fixed for hearing on June 16.

He said that the complainant had informed the Court of Appeal that no evidence would be led in the High Court proceedings until the revision application was heard and determined, and requested that the case be adjourned without summoning witnesses.

Allowing the request, Judge Ranatunga postponed the case until July 9 and ordered the witnesses to appear in court on the next hearing date.

The Attorney General has filed indictments against Rajapaksa alleging that he acquired five plots of land valued at more than Rs. 73 million through unlawful means, thereby committing an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.The case is scheduled to be called again on July 9.