News
UNDP backs campaign for more women in politics
… bid to set up daycare centre within Parliament premises
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged support for the campaign of the Women Parliamentarians’ caucus for more opportunities for women in politics.According to Parliament, UNDP Resident Representative in Colombo, Azusa Kubota, recently discussed the issues at hand with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, pertaining to the action plan for 2024-2027.
Sources said that during this meeting, discussions were held regarding proposed meetings with recognised political parties and party secretaries to enhance women representation in Provincial Councils, and Local Government bodies, the re-establishment of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children for the Tenth Parliament, and establishing a daycare centre, within the Parliament premises.
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs chaired the meeting.
Among those present were Deputy Co-Chairpersons of the Caucus, Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law, and Samanmali Gunasingha, as well as the Deputy Committee Chairperson Hemali Weerasekara.
Members of Parliament Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law, Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law, and Ambika Samivel.
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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