News
Chinese embassy in Colombo hits back at US
When it comes to human rights, the United States should do its ‘homework’ well, rather than telling other countries what to do, or even spreading rumours to discredit other countries, Chinese embassy in Colombo said in a statement issued yesterday (15).
Shang Chenglin, Media officer and Attache, Political Section, Chinese embassy in Colombo quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian as having a told regular press conference on Wednesday (14) in Beijing; “Poor prison conditions, ill treatment and even abuse of prisoners in the United States are frequently reported by the media. I am sure you all remember how Iraqi prisoners of war were mistreated at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and in the Abu Ghraib prison. When it comes to human rights, the United States should do its “homework” well, rather than telling other countries what to do, or even spreading rumors to discredit other countries.”
Zhao Lijian was responding to the following question: According to the Los Angeles Times, after the outbreak of COVID-19, some women prisoners in the United States were forced to work overtime to produce masks at the risk of contracting the virus. They worked up to 12 hours a day and produced thousands of masks, but they were unable to wear one. A female prisoner confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 said that it was like a “slave factory” and that the prison used them as a money tree. What is China’s comment?
The Chinese spokesperson said that he was not surprised at such reports.
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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