News
Parliament flays FM, etc., for revenue shortfalls: Siyambalapitya says situation not properly assessed
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Some declarations made by various parliamentary committees about public finance often didn’t represent the actual situation, says State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
Siyambalapitiya said so when The Island sought his response to criticism against the Finance Ministry and three revenue collection authorities namely the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise department, for their failure to meet revenue targets.
The Committee of Public Enterprises (COPE), Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans and Committee on Public Finance (COPF) respectively headed by Lasantha Alagiyawanne, Gamini Waleboda, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Dr. Harsha de Silva, have recently sought explanation from the relevant authorities regarding their failure to carry out specific instructions issued by Parliament.
The State Finance Minister emphasised that those who had been entrusted with revenue collection tasks were in overdrive. When The Island pointed out that the parliamentary committees always based their assessments on the latest available data provided by relevant revenue collection authorities, lawmaker Siyambalapitiya said of the Rs 943 bn mentioned by them as the total amount of uncollected taxes as much as 60 % to 65% had been held up in the legal process at different levels. “The Inland Revenue Department cannot be held responsible for delays caused by lengthy legal processes,” the State Finance Minister said.
Siyambalapitiya said that he wouldn’t deny the possibility of unscrupulous elements resorting to legal measures, including the appeal process to deliberately delay payments.MP Siyambalapitiya said that of the remaining 35% uncollected taxes, about 15% had been collected so far and they were keen to continue with ongoing efforts to bring the operation to a successful conclusion.
Asked whether the Attorney General’s Department had been consulted as regards inordinate legal delays, the State Minister said that there were three rounds of talks with them as well as with Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC.
Siyambalapitiya pointed out that those who had been trying to avoid taxes enjoyed the services of the best lawyers. “We cannot do anything about citizens resorting to legal measures. That is the ground reality,” MP Siyambalapitiya said, urging the parliament to instead explore ways and means to overcome the problem.
Commenting on the massive sugar duty scam perpetrated in Oct 2020, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that so far Rs 310 mn had been recovered from six importers though altogether 12 businesses were investigated. MP Siyambalapitiya said that the CID conducted a thorough investigation into the sugar tax scam and submitted a report to the AG and was awaiting his instructions to take legal action.
The Auditor General has declared that the government suffered a loss of over Rs 16 bn due to the reduction of sugar tax from Rs 50 to 25 cents by way of a gazette issued on Oct 13, 2020.
Siyambalapitiya acknowledged that deterioration of desired standards couldn’t be rectified overnight. “However, we are making a determined effort to turn around the situation,” the SLPPer said, accusing the Opposition of attempting to exploit the current economic crisis to their political advantage.
At the recent meeting chaired by State Transport Minister Alagiyawanne, in his capacity as the Chairman of COPE, the lawmakers found fault with the Finance Ministry for neglecting its primary duties and responsibilities. The Finance Ministry representatives had been told that a proposal made in 2016 to the Finance Ministry to improve and enhance IT setups at revenue collection authorities wasn’t implemented. Therefore a committee headed by Secretaries to the President and the Premier was established to look into this matter and take whatever steps necessary to expedite the process.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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