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The Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act comes into force from Monday (19), said the Sri Lankan Parliament in a facebook post.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the certificate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill which was passed by a majority of votes after debate in Parliament.

Following the debate on the second reading of the bill held recently (09) a division was called by the opposition. Accordingly, 83 votes were cast in favor of the Bill and 41 votes were cast against.

A division was called for the Third Reading of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill by the Opposition to which 79 votes were cast in favor of the Bill and 36 votes were cast against.

Accordingly, this bill comes into force as Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 45 of 2022 from today.

The new tax regime will impose an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs. 100,000/- per month.

Monthly income of up to Rs. 100,000/- will be free from tax. A person who earns Rs. 350,000/- a month will be subject to all six tax brackets and will have to pay a tax of Rs. 52,500/- per month.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court on Thursday (15) ordered to relax the overseas travel ban imposed on State Minister Diana Gamage for a period of five days.

The State Minister is mentioned in a case filed for allegedly providing false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to obtain a passport.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe ordered the Criminal Investigations Department's OIC to produce a comprehensive investigation report to the court on the 5th of January 2023,with regard to the investigations on the State Minister.

President's Counsel Sarath Jayamanne appearing for the State Minister made submissions to the court, and following a request made, the travel ban was lifted for five days.

Counsel appearing for the aggrieved party informed the court that the Attorney General's silence over the matter, leads to concern.

President's Counsel Sarath Jayamanne told the court that the investigations have not named State Minister Diana Gamage as a suspect.

However, the Chief Magistrate told in open court that the court observes that the evidence reports produced thus far by the detectives are sufficient to name Diana Gamage as a suspect.

The Chief Magistrate, however, said that the decision on the matter lies with the Attorney General and the Criminal Investigations Department.

The luxury cruise liner ‘Ocean Odyssey’, carrying 108 high-end passengers from the United States, reached the Colombo Port on Sunday (18).

The cruise ship is scheduled to set off for Trincomalee tomorrow (19). The passengers of Ocean Odyssey will travel the country before boarding the cruise ship December 21 at the Trincomalee Harbour, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva also participated in the ceremony organised at the port to welcome the passengers of the cruise ship.

The 2022-built MS Ocean Odyssey cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel inaugurated in February 2022.

The vessel is owned by SunStone Ships Inc (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line – subsidiary and brand owned by Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name “Vantage Deluxe World Travel”).

On November 29, the super luxury passenger cruise ship "Mein Schiff 5" had arrived at the Colombo Port with 2,000 tourists on board.

Veteran vocalist, lyricist and composer Nihal Nelson passed away on Tuesday (13). He was 76 years old at the time of his demise.

Nihal Nelson was one of the most influential singers in Sri Lanka and considered ‘undefeated on the concert stage’.

Nelson holds the record for the most albums recorded by a Sri Lankan artist with 113 albums.

Nihal Nelson was born on 1946 in Moratuwa, and received his primary education from Innocent Maria Mixed School which is currently known as Rawathawaththa Methodist College.

After passing grade 8, he entered Moratu Maha Vidyalaya where he completed A/L in 1960.

Nelson married Malini Sriyalatha in 1974.

He was among the first Sri Lankan vocalists to release a cassette in 1978 with Gune Ayyage Kamare. Nelson was also among the first to release a compact disc.

He was known for his popular hits such as “Pansala Palliya”, “Kiri Dunne Daruwantai”, “Lassanata Pipunu Wana Mal”, “Karuna Suwanda” and many more.

He also worked as a playback singer for many films.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, RSP **, USP, ndu, psc, was appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 18th December 2022, after being elevated to the rank of three-star Admiral.

The appointment was made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a product of the Royal College, Colombo.

He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 05th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

He was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ for the best in the batch upon successful completion of naval training from the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee.

He was commissioned in the rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1989 and graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Defence Studies) with honours.

In pursuing academics, he has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies and has also been conferred with a Master’s in Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

He also holds a Master’s Degree of Maritime Policy with Distinctions from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Additionally, in pursuing of professional progress he has obtained specialization in Clearance Diving from the Indian Naval Diving Training School and in Principle Warfare from the Pakistan Navy.

He is an alumnus of the US Naval War College from where he has passed the US Naval Staff Course and National Defence University of People’s Liberation Army, People’s Republic of China, having attended Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2018-19 and conferred with a Master of Military Sciences Strategic Studies.

He has rendered more than thirty-five years of distinguished service to the Sri Lanka Navy with a reputation of a dedicated, professionally competent and an inspiring leader.

His illustrious career has been enriched with vast experience in the Sri Lanka Navy, in various capacities and the officer has held command at sea and earned victories in battle as a Squadron Commander in the prestigious 4th Fast Attack Flotilla, the teeth arm of the Sri Lanka Navy fleet, as well as a Group Commander in the Special Boat Squadron at the height of the looming terrorist activities.

He is also one of the Commanding Officers who led the Special Boat Squadron of the Navy and has been the Officer in Charge of Naval Diving and Salvage Unit, spearheading some crucial salvage work. At sea he has commanded a series of Fast Attack Craft, Fast Gun Boats, Landing Craft, Fast Passenger Craft, Sa’ar 4 Class Fast Missile Vessel and his last command at sea has been SLNS Sagara, an Offshore Patrol Vessel.

His key shore appointments include the Commandant SLNS Shiksha, the main recruit training center of SLN, Director Naval Training, Director Naval Operations, Director Naval Foreign Cooperation, Director Maritime Special Forces, Head of the Naval Research Wing, Deputy Area Commander North Central Naval Area, Commander Southern Naval Area, Commander Northern Naval Area, Deputy Chief of Staff and finally as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a recipient of Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) thrice for conspicuous display of gallantry in combat and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for unblemished service and devotion to duty.

The senior officer has been commended by former Commanders of the Navy seven times for his leadership and professional conduct in challenging circumstances and tasks.

His prowess in sports is very versatile ranging from aquatic sports of swimming, water polo, windsurfing, kayaking and speed boating to adventure, cycling, musketry, fencing and archery among other things.

He holds the record of being the first to circumnavigate Sri Lanka in a sea kayak and formerly held office as General Secretary of National Association of Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka, working diligently to promote paddle sport in the country.

He is also an International Technical Official in Canoe Sprint and Dragon Boat discipline of International Canoe Federation and a qualified level one coach in canoeing.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is married to Mrs. Mala Lamahewa and they are blessed with two sons Sachith (24) and Shamal (21).

Direct flights between Chennai in India and Jaffna, Sri Lanka recommenced today (12), with the landing of the first passenger flight operated by Alliance Air.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry confirmed on Twitter that the first flight from Chennai landed at the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly this morning.

Flight operations between Chennai and Jaffna recommenced today after a lapse of 2 years.

With the resumption of operations, Air Alliance is expected to operate 04 weekly flights between the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly and Chennai.

According to MP Angajan Ramanathan, who is the Chairman of the Jaffna District Development Committee, the costs of flight tickets are as follows:

One-way ticket – starting from Rs. 44,000 Return ticket – starting from Rs. 65,000.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed relevant officials to take immediate steps to develop the Ella tourist area according to a grand comprehensive plan.

The President also informed the officials to prepare the relevant development plan within 4 months together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Environment and submit it to him.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President issued these instructions during the discussion held with the Ella Businessmen’s Association today (16).

The President pointed out the need to plan the Ella tourism zone formally and according to a proper plan and also pointed out the importance of carrying out its construction activities in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid disturbing the tourist attraction.

The PMD stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe further stated that under the first phase, the Ella tourism zone will be developed through a formal plan, and then steps will be taken to make the entire Uva Province a preferred destination for tourists.

Expressing his views, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said, “Ella is a tourist area created by the people of this area. It now contributes widely to Sri Lanka’s economy. We hope to develop this tourist zone according to a new comprehensive development plan. I have instructed the officials to take steps to provide short-term solutions to the problems that have arisen in this area.”

“Today, tourists visiting the Maldives spend about $500 a day. However, tourists who come to the Ella area spend twenty dollars a day. We must change this situation. Trained workers are needed for the promotion of the tourism industry. Experienced tourism workers left the country during the last Covid epidemic. They were very experienced workers. Tourists, who spend $500, come expecting good service. We need trained employees to provide such a service.”

“Steps should be taken to create a good tourism service under this massive development program. Those tourists who arrive in the Uva Province should spend at least 07 days there. We need to make new plans with that objective in mind,” he said.

President Wickremesinghe further said, “We have to arrange to attract the tourists visiting the Eastern Province to Ella thereafter. This new development plan should include a program to develop the Mattala Airport and bring tourists directly from Mattala to Ella. These plans would be effective for the country’s development both in the short term and in the long term.”

“We must work to maintain the banking sector in the country without letting it collapse while developing the tourism sector. If the banking system collapses, tourists will not come to our country. Therefore, the government has a program to protect both the tourism and banking sectors. As we would implement it, I request you all support it,” he added.

The PMD stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe resolved many of the issues raised by the Ella Businessmen during the meeting with them and the prompt action taken by the President to address their issues was highly appreciated by the Ella business community.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Harin Fernando, State Ministers Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Governor of the Uva Province A.J.M. Musammil, Chief of Presidential Staff and President’s Senior Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama and several others participated in the discussion.

The Ministry of Education has announced that admission for Grade 01 students will only be carried out by schools and not via the Education Ministry.

The Ministry further said that 2022 GCE Ordinary Level students whose schools do not consist of their preferred GCE Advanced Level streams will be required to submit applications to the schools with the relevant GCE Advanced Level streams.

2022 GCE Ordinary Level students have been instructed not to forward such applications to the Education Ministry.

The Education Ministry also informed that the process of providing admission to students to enroll in schools mid-semester has been halted from 5 December 2022.

The enrollment of students mid-semester for 2023 will commence only after the completion of the 2022 third academic term, which falls on 24 March 2023.

The admissions will be provided after inspecting applications and based on vacancies in schools, the Ministry added.

Businesswoman Thilini Priyamali who was remanded over a large-scale financial fraud has been released on conditional bail.

The Fort Magistrate’s Court released her on strict conditional bail when the case pertaining to the financial fraud was taken up for hearing today (16).

Priyamali was arrested in early October for financially defrauding several businessmen, politicians, and civil, religious, and political leaders. Investigations into the financial fraud revealed that she had allegedly defrauded Rs. 1.28 billion.

The Criminal Investigation Department thereafter arrested and remanded Isuru Bandara, the alleged business partner of Thilini Priyamali.

In November, Buddhist monk Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thero and Sri Lankan corporate personality, Janaki Siriwardana were arrested and remanded in connection to the financial fraud linked to Thilini Priyamali.

Janaki Siriwardana was working in the Colombo Fort Krish Project at the time of her involvement with Thilini Priyamali, during which she had introduced a businessman to Priyamali. The latter is accused of defrauding over Rs. 226 million from the businessman.

Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thero was arrested based on information that was revealed during investigations into the financial frauds committed by Thilini Priyamali.

All suspects, including Thilini Priyamali, arrested over the financial fraud case have been released on bail as of today.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has appointed Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the party for the year 2023.

The decision was reached during the annual party convention held at the Campbell Park in Colombo on Sunday (11).

Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka was appointed SJB Chairman, while MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara was named as the General Secretary.

MP Tissa Attanayake was appointed National Organizer of the SJB while Dr. Harsha de Silva was named as the Treasurer of the party.

It is the responsibility of public officials to provide maximum public service without conflict between public institutions and public officials, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized today (15).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Wickremesinghe further said that public officials should never give reasons for not performing their duties.

The President stressed that government officials should use the law as a shield to serve the people and not the companies.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks while participating in the District Development Committee meeting held at the Badulla District Secretariat this morning.

The President further said, “A scientific report should be obtained before removing the pine trees from these areas. During the rule of the English in this country, tea was cultivated while pine trees were also there. Therefore, don’t fall for the wrong ideas.”

“Before removing the pine trees, it is necessary to scientifically investigate if they would have an impact on the catchment areas. Why do you want to uproot the pine cultivation and opt for turpentine cultivation it will have an impact on the catchment areas.”

“Government officials should act efficiently. I don’t need excuses. There is no way that there could be problems between the government departments. As a government, everyone should come together and serve the people,” he said.

The President pointed out that, “in the plantation field, some officials use the law as a shield. I paid attention to this when preparing this Act in the 80s.”

Stating that when discussing the educational problems in this area, the shortage of teachers was highlighted, the President said, “A year or two after the appointment of teachers, they get transfers. The Ministry of Education and the Provincial Council should discuss and take a decision not to transfer teachers until five years after their appointment. The proposal to get new land for plantation schools will be considered and necessary steps will be taken.”

He further said, “For the promotion of the health sector in the Badulla District, the necessary facilities will be provided to upgrade the Mahiyangana Regional Hospital into a district hospital. Also, we are working to allocate money for the expenses of the kidney hospital in Girandurukotte.”

“If a problem has arisen regarding the development of the Bandarawela Hospital due to the Diyathalawa Base Hospital, steps will be taken to investigate it. The steps to upgrade the Bandarawela District Hospital to a base hospital have been assigned to the Ministry of Health, and they should look into it.”

“All the lands related to the development of the Badulla Province General Hospital have been released so far. I request you to implement its future activities. Due to the declaration of bankruptcy of our country, receiving foreign aid has stopped. Therefore, there may be some delay in providing money for the necessary equipment to the Badulla General Hospital,” the President said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that in the future, they will work towards establishing an emergency treatment unit for tourists in that hospital, adding that there is a possibility of earning foreign exchange through it.

Also speaking during the meeting, State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake commented on the failure to implement the development activities in the Badulla District in the past and the re-implementation of these development programs.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Harin Fernando, Mahinda Amaraweera, Ministers of State Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Tenuka Vidanagamage, Aravinda Kumar, Member of Parliament Suresh Vadivel, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Governor of the Uva Province A.J.M. Musammil, President’s Senior Adviser on Food Security Dr Suren Batagoda and other government officials of the district attended this event.

Leader of the Samabima Party Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne has questioned the discipline in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

In a video posted on social media, Gunaratne referred to remarks of insulting nature by SJB MP Nalin Bandara directed at state minister Diana Gamage in Parliament.

That has yet to be condemned by any, not even by the known feminist and wife of the SJB and opposition leader, Jalani Premadasa, Hirunika Premachandra who speaks about rights of women and various human rights groups, he said.

This shows how the SJB treats the women and the level of its discipline, Gunaratne added.

Senior journalist Uvindu Kurukulasuriya too, in a facebook post, condemned Nalin Bandara’s remarks.