News
Rishad files writ to prevent his arrest
By Chitra Weerarathne
SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal, to prevent his arrest by the CID.
Bathiudeen has requested the Court to issue a writ of prohibition on the Director, CID on the latter’s alleged attempt to unfairly arrest him. He also requested interim relief against the Director CID, ordering him not to take any unreasonable steps against Bathiudeen, recently.
The Fort Magistrate has informed the CID that a warrant is not needed to arrest the suspect as the allegations against him were the misuse of public money and the violation of election laws in the run-up to the last presidential election. The allegation against the suspect is that he used public money to transport voters, from Puttalam to Mannar, using CTB buses. The suspect was the Minister of Industrial Development, during the former UNP regime.
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.
-
Features3 days agoMy experience in turning around the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) – Episode 3
-
Business4 days agoZone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner
-
Business3 days agoRemotely conducted Business Forum in Paris attracts reputed French companies
-
Business3 days agoFour runs, a thousand dreams: How a small-town school bowled its way into the record books
-
Business3 days agoComBank and Hayleys Mobility redefine sustainable mobility with flexible leasing solutions
-
Business4 days agoHNB recognized among Top 10 Best Employers of 2025 at the EFC National Best Employer Awards
-
Editorial6 days agoAll’s not well that ends well?
-
Business4 days agoGREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check
