Srilanka

The ban on operation of drones within the Sri Lankan airspace has been lifted from yesterday. The Civil Aviation Authority said drones were banned due to security concerns after the Easter Sunday attacks in April 019.Drones were banned for security concerns, since the Easter Sunday attacks. And if it is to be operated certain rules and regulations are to be followed. According to the civil aviation regulations, there will security checks and clearance should be obtained to fly drones from the Defence Ministry. The venue of any event will also be subject to security checks and those using the drones.

Cabinet spokesman and Higher Education Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardana called for Sri Lanka to look to create hubs like Biyagama for the export of services.Dr.Gunawardana was speaking at the launch of a commemorative stamp for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants on January 17. He said he would put in place policies to make Sri Lanka a regional education hub for South Asia. Sri Lankan born chairman of CIMA Amal Ratnayake was also present.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has found that a large number of traders, business establishments and bakeries do not pass the VAT reduction benefits to the consumer and as such the IRD would round up errant commercial establishments with the assistance of the Consumer Affairs Authority (VAA) and take legal action against them, Commissioner General of the IRD Nadun Guruge said.Mr. Guruge added that the IRD did not have provisions to take legal action directly against commercial ventures who fail to reduce their prices of commodities following the recent tax cuts but the CAA has been empowered to do so. The island wide raids on errant trade establishments and legal action will be launched starting from the last week of this month.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has proposed to centralize all government institutes through a single data network to ensure a public sector service free of inefficiency, delays and corruption. During a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, the President instructed officials in the information and communication sector to take measures immediately to build a mechanism to provide relevant services through the internet.