News
Presidential Task Force to reduce taxes on sand mining
…reissues 246 mining permits to operate in Kalu Ganga
By Ifham Nizam
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the exploitation of geological resources for prioritised development projects was planning to reduce taxes levied on sand mining permits, the Environment Ministry said.
The PTF had decided to re-issue permits for sand mining in Kalu Ganga for a short period. Earlier, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau banned sand mining in the area.
Then Environment Ministry yesterday said that 246 mining permits issued for sand mining in the area would be extended. These permits were suspended from 31 December 2020 after people in Kalutara faced a shortage of drinking water due to the rising sea water along the Kalu Ganga during the dry season.
A discussion in this regard was held at the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday, Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports Development, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Anura Walpola, Chairman of the GSMB and officials from the Water Supply Board,Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka Police and Kalutara District Secretariat were also present.
Amaraweera said that three months after the issuance of these permits, another survey of the Kalu Ganga would be conducted.
“If this test also confirms that the sea water is mixing with the river water due to sand mining, we will ban it again,” Amaraweera said.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year of 2027 at their meeting held on 30.06.2026.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the Appropriation Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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the expedited paddy purchasing program for the 2026 Yala harvest.
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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to host the said conferences considering the opportunities to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation, as well as to enhance international recognition of the Parliament of Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
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