News
SC issues notice on ex-Prez over Jaffna disappearances
The Supreme Court yesterday (19) re-issued notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, returnable on Dec. 15, in respect of a petition filed over the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of two human rights activists, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, in the Jaffna peninsula, in Dec 2011.
The Court of Appeal earlier quashed summons issued on the former President to appear before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, as a witness, in connection with this case.
The aggrieved party filed this appeal challenging the order made by the Court of Appeal. Counsel Nuwan Bopage, appearing for the petitioners, submitted to Court that the notices haf already been sent to the former President. However, the former President was not represented by an attorney.
Taking into consideration the facts, the Supreme Court decided to re-issue notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, returnable for December 15.
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.”
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