News
Cinnamon exported as firewood to China for seven decades
Cash strapped Sri Lanka has deprived itself of valuable foreign currency by exporting genuine Sri Lankan cinnamon to China as firewood for seven decades. SLPP lawmaker Yadamini Gunawardena has recently raised this issue at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on investment, chaired by State Minister Dilum Amunugama.
Subsequently, the Export Development Board (EDB) has taken up this matter with China and necessary remedial measures have been taken. Last week, EDB officials informed the Consultative Committee of the consensus reached to export cinnamon as a food product to China.
The National List MP has emphasized the need for remedial measures to ensure genuine cinnamon spices, cinnamon oils and many other cinnamon products were exported under the correct category. Sources said that this should have been addressed decades ago but Foreign Ministry and the EDB appeared to have neglected their responsibilities (SF)
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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