News
National carrier of Maldives begins operations to Ratmalana
Passengers of the first Maldivian flight to Ratmalana Airport, yesterday morning received a warm welcome. Officials from the Maldives and the Sri Lankan government took part in the ceremony.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) announced that three weekly flights, scheduled for Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, will operate between Velana International Airport, Maldives, and Ratmalana International Airport.
The flights will depart Maldives at 6:00 am, and land in Sri Lanka at 8:40 am (Lankan time.) The flight will depart from Sri Lanka at 9:40 am and arrive in the Maldives at 11:20 am (Maldives time.)
Officials from the Maldivies told local media that around 9,000 Maldivians live in close to the Ratmalana Airport, and these flights would make travel easier for them.
Ratmalana Airport, established in 1935, was Sri Lanka’s first international airport. However, regional international operations were suspended in 1968.
Until the current administration recently authorised the use of the airport for regional operations to South Asian countries, it was used for domestic operations and to accommodate private jets.
CAASL had announced Sri Lanka has removed aircraft parking charges for one year, and suspended the airport service tax levied on passengers for one year to promote flights at Ratmalana.
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.
-
Features4 days agoMy experience in turning around the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL) – Episode 3
-
Business5 days agoZone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner
-
Business4 days agoRemotely conducted Business Forum in Paris attracts reputed French companies
-
Business4 days agoFour runs, a thousand dreams: How a small-town school bowled its way into the record books
-
Business4 days agoComBank and Hayleys Mobility redefine sustainable mobility with flexible leasing solutions
-
Business5 days agoHNB recognized among Top 10 Best Employers of 2025 at the EFC National Best Employer Awards
-
Editorial7 days agoAll’s not well that ends well?
-
Business5 days agoGREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check
