News
Ex-MPs and ministers, Buddhist monks and former judges accorded police security
By Norman Palihawadane
As many as about 5,400 policemen are assigned as personal bodyguards to Buddhist monks, former MPs and ministers, judges and many others severely undermining regular law enforcement, police sources said on Friday.
Sources said that this number was in addition to those assigned to the incumbent ministers and MPs entitled to be guarded by the police. The highest number of policemen deployed as personal bodyguards were assigned to senior bhikkhus and judges.
Sources said that in addition to the above categories, policemen have been assigned for close protection duties of diplomats and some others with positive threat perceptions. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that the number of policemen assigned as guards to those other than parliamentarians was around 5,400 but he needed time to give exact figures.
He had called for a report on the matter and intended to review the threat perceptions to each and every person provided police protection once the report is in.He confirmed that the police was short of manpower.
News
Amendment of the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017
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.
News
Cabinet nod for “National Mineral Policy” – 2026
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.”
Latest News
Twelve sentenced to death by Gampaha High Court
The Gampaha High Court has sentenced Twelve (12) individuals to death over the 2022 murder of former Polonnaruwa District Member of Parliament Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer.
-
Features4 days agoMy experience in turning around the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) – Episode 3
-
Business5 days agoZone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner
-
Business4 days agoRemotely conducted Business Forum in Paris attracts reputed French companies
-
Business4 days agoFour runs, a thousand dreams: How a small-town school bowled its way into the record books
-
Business4 days agoComBank and Hayleys Mobility redefine sustainable mobility with flexible leasing solutions
-
Business5 days agoHNB recognized among Top 10 Best Employers of 2025 at the EFC National Best Employer Awards
-
Editorial7 days agoAll’s not well that ends well?
-
Business5 days agoGREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check
