News
AAC delegates discuss road safety projects, etc., with State Minister
On an invitation by State Minister for Transport Lasantha Alagiyawanna, a delegation from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) which comprised Dhammika Attygalle (President), Keerthi Gunawardane (Vice President), MP Piyankara Jayaratne (Vice Patron) and Devapriya Hettiarachchi (Secretary) met at the State Ministry of Transport at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha on 12th July 2023.
The purpose of the discussion was to ascertain the services and the facilities provided by the Association and also the Association’s future plans regarding the Road Safety Projects. The Association provided a PowerPoint presentation of the facilities and services it provides and pointed out that it was the voice of the motorists and its motto is “Partner in Motoring ”.
The Association emphasised that they are involved in the UN Decade of Action 2010-2020 that has been extended till 2030 and they annually carry out at least one or two Road Safety Projects.
The Road Safety Projects are inclusive of workshops and seminars not only for the motorists but also for all road users including schoolchildren.
The State Minister then suggested the Association provide a Road Map to the Ministry in regard to the future programme of the Road Safety Projects.
He also pointed out that at present the data recorded with regard to the Road accidents and the fatalities and injuries, collected by the Department of Police, Insurance Companies, Road Development Authority, Department of Motor Traffic and National Road Safety Council, but there is no consistency and accuracy in that data. He therefore requested whether the Association could develop a Software for this purpose so that an accurate date could be provided from a responsible organisation.
The State Minister said that the Department of Motor Traffic intends to extend their services and proposed to establish a counter in the Katunayake Air Port Arrival Terminal to issue Temporary Driving License to foreigners to drive in Sri Lanka. He extended an invitation to the Association whether they could also have their operations together with the Department.
He also inquired whether the AAC wished to change the incorporation Act no. 19 of 1957. But delegates of the Association do not want to give up their identity as it is a state recognized incorporation.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 in order to introduce amendments to the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 including the proposed tax revisions to enhance the tax structure paving way for state financial integrity based on revenue.
Accordingly, the revised draft bill has been prepared by the legal draftsman and clearance of the Attorney General has been received.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for
the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently, forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The National Mineral Policy was prepared for the first time in the year 1999, and the aforementioned policy has been amended in 2023 to cover matters such as preparing an updated data system related to mineral resources, adding value to the export of minerals, encouraging mineral-related industrialists, extracting mineral resources and managing the environment sustainably, and resolving the issues related to the ownership of the land arising in extracting mineral resources.
The revised National Mineral Policy has been reupdated in line with the manifesto “A Sustainable Resource Utilization – Generation of the Highest Benefit” under the policy statement of the current government” A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the Minister of Industries and
Entrepreneurship to implement the so-formulated “National Mineral Policy—2026.”
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