News
Everyone above 18 will have tax file – Siyambalapitiya
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that starting from 01 January 2024, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) would open tax files for all individuals above the age of 18.
While it was mandatory for individuals to open a tax file, not everyone would be required to pay taxes, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said. He further stated that the tax file number would also be used for future welfare benefits.
A special Gazette notification was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who serves as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, with the approval of the Commissioner General of IRD. This notification, effective from 01 June, makes it compulsory for professionals belonging to 14 categories, including Doctors, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects, to register themselves with the IRD.
The Gazette notification also states that employees, whose combined monthly contributions to any Provident Fund exceed 20,000 rupees, are required to register with the IRD.
The list of professionals, who must register with the IRD, from 01 June, are: Practitioners registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka, members of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, members of the Association of Professional Bankers, members of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka, Attorneys-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, individuals who have registered their businesses in Divisional Secretariats, individuals who own vehicles registered (excluding three-wheelers, motorcycles, and hand tractors) with the Motor Traffic Department, individuals who have purchased or acquired any immovable property in Sri Lanka through Deeds Transfer on or after 01 April 2018, employees whose monthly contribution from both employee and employer to any Provident Fund exceeds 20,000 rupees, Individuals who obtain approval for a building plan from a Local Authority, and any other individual who receives payment of Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs. 1,200,000 for a 12-month period for providing any services in Sri Lanka.
According to the notification, individuals who do not fall into any of the mentioned categories but are 18 years of age, or older, as of 31 December 2023, or who reach the age of 18 on or after 01 January 2024, must register with the IRD from 01 January 2024.
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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