News
Ranil’s tax policies will discourage investors -Harsha
By Saman Indrajith
Opening the debate on the Budget 2023 for the Opposition, Dr. De Silva said Budget 2023 had welfare expenditure by Rs. 40 billion rupees. “When we were in power, inflation was below 5%, but the people were complaining of economic difficulties. Today, food inflation has gone up to 95%.”
Dr. de Silva said that the tax policies envisaged by the Budget 2023 would discourage exporters. The President spoke of boosting exports with the help of new policies but in reality that will not happen. There are other factors that affect investment and they include law and order and a corruption free environment. Look at the tax benefits given to the exporters in neighbouring countries. In Bangladesh, the tax for exporters is 22.5 %. It is 12 percent for the garment exporters. The President did not mention some figures pertaining to the export industry.”
“Those who are sitting with the Prime Minister on that side of the government ranks today are with us.
“There is no mechanism to tackle tax evaders.
“The aim of improving a digital economy is not realistic. Budget 2023 has not proposed a mechanism to prevent brain drain. There is no proper solution envisaged for the development of agriculture, except for promoting ganja cultivation and trying to find means for the reduction of post-harvest losses,” Dr. de Silva said.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd donates Rs 100 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
England security in airport clash with camera operator
Sethmika stars as Sri Lanka under 19s crush Nepal by 8 wickets
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Pregnant Mothers to receive Rs 5000 Nutrition Allowance in December
640 deaths, 211 missing as at 6:00AM today (13)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features4 days agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight
-
News6 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News5 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
Features7 days agoThe Catastrophic Impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka:
-
News6 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features4 days agoHandunnetti and Colonial Shackles of English in Sri Lanka
-
Business2 days agoCabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
-
Business6 days agoSri Lanka betting its tourism future on cold, hard numbers