The Government is planning to enact several new laws next year, among them being one to introduce DNA tests to decide on parentage issues as well as provide relief to those charged in statutory rape cases. According to a report submitted to Parliament yesterday during the budget vote of the Ministry of Justice, the bill to provide for parentage tests will enable DNA tests to be done to determine the paternity or maternity which will assist in matters such as custody of children, maintenance proceedings, and inheritance.

The Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) scheme of issuing duty concessionary motor vehicle permits for genuine tax payers maintaining tax compliance has now been tainted with malpractices at a high level, officials said. This vehicle permit scam came to light with the revelation of details on the issue of concessionary motor vehicle permits for two taxpayers in Kurunegala and one in Colombo.