The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is reported to have upped the ante on parliamentarians over possible involvement in tax frauds, Daily Mirror learns. Sri Lanka’s new anti-corruption law provides for the declaration of assets by MPs.

An informed source said that the IRD, in its attempt, to widen the tax net, has targeted parliamentarians for possible frauds.

Sri Lanka recently took a host of measures for the increase of state revenue as stipulated in the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition to the increase of tax rates, it also took steps to widen the tax network.

Earlier, a top parliamentary committee informed that revenue collection mechanism should be strengthened to net those evading tax payments. Sri Lanka’s revenue-collecting bodies exceeded the tax revenue target by six per cent for the first quarter ended on March 31.

The government expects a revenue collection of Rs. 4,106 billion in 2024. Sri Lankan Customs, Excise Department and Inland Revenue Department are the three collection bodies.

A total of 122 independent groups have placed their cash deposits for the upcoming general elections scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated. The groups made their deposits between September 25 to October 04. Key districts with the highest number of deposits include Batticaloa (15), Jaffna (15), Digamadulla (11), Trincomalee (12) and Colombo (12).

DIG Dhammika Kumara has been appointed as the new Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), following the retirement of Major General Suresh Sallay, Ada Derana reported.

A part of R.A. de Mel Mawatha in the Kollupitiya Police area from St. Michael’s Roundabout to the Rotunda Roundabout along Temple Trees was opened to the public after 19 years, the Ministry of Defence said.

Numerous MPs who were in the currently dissolved Parliament have decided to opt out of politics without contesting the upcoming general election.

There has been an increase in the number of children showing symptoms of influenza and doctors advise vulnerable groups to wear masks, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said. He said symptoms like respiratory problems, cough, cold, fever, runny nose, blocked nose and sometimes vomiting may occur.

The Election Commission has halted the unlawful appointment of a new Managing Director to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) by the new government.

India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Sri Lanka this morning for an official visit.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.

The international community should support Sri Lanka in building a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka, Norwegian diplomat and former politician Erik Solheim said.

Former Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardene has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections.

A spokesman for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today refuted claims made by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, stating that Wickremesinghe never sought Presidential immunity in connection with the controversial bond scam legal proceedings.

A special meeting was held at the Police Headquarters to review the progress of several high-profile investigations concerning crimes, fraud and other controversial cases in Sri Lanka.

The Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow. During this visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said that the Presidential Commission report, which investigated the allegations made by the UK’s Channel 4 regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, has gone missing.

Former MP and Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) spokesperson, M.A. Sumanthiran, last evening called on the government to immediately disclose the names of former parliamentarians and politicians who were involved in securing and distributing liquor licenses during the previous administration.

The Human Rights Watch stated that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should adopt a resolution to enable continued UN monitoring, reporting, and collecting evidence of rights violations for future prosecutions in Sri Lanka.

Former Navy Commander Admiral Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe took office today as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. He enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet in its 11th Intake on 15 November 1982. Ranasinghe was appointed Commander of the Navy on 26 October 2017 and retired on 1 January 2019.

The Election Commission has announced that it is geared to conduct the much-delayed 2023 Local Government Elections shortly after the upcoming General Elections.

A total of 37 independent groups have placed cash deposits for the upcoming general election scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara confirmed that no injuries or casualties among Sri Lankan nationals were reported following last night’s attack on Israel, allegedly carried out by Iranian forces.