News
COVID raising its head again
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There has been an increase in the number afflicted with COVID-19, Head of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) Upul Rohana says.
Rohana said yesterday that there was no system in place to test people for COVID-19.
Only those who were hospitalised or died under suspicious circumstances were tested for COVID-19, he said.
According to Rohana, the Government Information Department, too, has started releasing statistics of COVID-related deaths.
“PHIs at the grassroots also have reported some suspicious COVID deaths. What I can say is that COVID-19 as well as some viral flu are spreading in the community, especially in schools and in places of work,” he said.
Rohana said that people must wash their hands regularly, maintain good respiratory health, and wear masks.
“It is best to avoid crowded places, too. Follow the health guidelines we introduced during the pandemic. This is good for your health,” he said.
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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