News
Four cops arrested over criminal’s escape from BIA
By Norman Palihawadane
Four policemen were being questioned over an incident of a wanted suspect fleeing their custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Saturday evening, police said.
Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that an inspector, a sergeant and two constables, on duty, when the wanted suspect escaped, had been taken into custody by a special investigation team from the police headquarters. The policemen concerned were attached to the Katunayake Airport Police.
A suspect was arrested when he arrived at the BIA to fly to Dubai under a fake name. The Immigration authorities detected two travel bans on the suspect for his real name as well as his fake name. The airport authorities informed the Katunayake Airport police of the suspect and the police took him into custody.
The suspect admitted that he had been involved in several crimes including murders. He is a navy deserter responsible for nine killings including the recent one at Hanwella, police said.
SSP Thalduwa said that two persons disguised as in bhikkhu robes had arrived at the Katunayake Airport Police to visit the suspect. The policemen took the suspect out of the cell and later it was found that the suspect had fled. Serious questions have been raised with regard to this account and the matter is being investigated, the SSP said.
Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that a separate operation had been launched to find the suspect.
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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