President appoints commission to simplify existing laws

COLOMBO (News1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed an 18-member commission to simplify existing laws targeting the welfare of the people. Presidential advisor Lalith Weeratunga and Krishan Balendra - a business conglomerate leader, will head the commission, his office said Thursday. The commission is tasked with reviewing circulars and the procedure involved in issuing permits concerning the investment and construction sectors. In its statement, the President's office added that the commission will also review rules and regulations on state finance and collecting tax revenue. Identifying efficient regulatory mechanisms by drawing comparisons with existing foreign systems is also among the responsibilities. The task of evaluating the room for corruption created by the complex system of laws and the identification of sectors in which laws could be simplified has also been vested with the newly-appointed body. The commission has been granted 90 days to fulfil the responsibilities given by the President.