News
Book industry protests against 18% VAT imposition on books
The latest salvo against the government’s imposition of value-added tax (VAT) on hitherto exempted sectors came on Friday from the country’s book industry which has called for an immediate reversal of the decision to tax the sale of books at 18%.
Associations representing local publishers, printers, booksellers and importers and writers and academics came together to voice their opposition to the unavoidable hike in the prices of books consequent to the imposition of VAT, pointing to the pernicious long-term effects it would have on socio-economic development by making access to knowledge unaffordable to many.
Addressing a press conference at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association (SLBPA) Dinesh Kulatunga said: “We acknowledge that economic challenges spanning multiple government terms have led to a situation where the broader population has been required to shoulder the financial implications of the gradual national recovery.
“But is it fair that this short-term requirement to boost government revenue should have the longer-term destructive consequence of retarding the education, culture, intellectual progress and personal development of generations of Sri Lankans, and negatively impact the development of the knowledge economy?” he asked.
Speakers representing different stakeholder groups in the book industry also charged that with the indiscriminate extension of VAT to a highly sensitive and vulnerable sector like books, Sri Lanka was also in violation of the UNESCO Florence Agreement of 1950, to which the country was an early signatory and continues to be a Contracting State.
The UNESCO Florence Agreement is a treaty that binds Contracting States to not impose customs duties and taxes on certain educational, scientific, and cultural materials that are imported.
President of Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association Samantha Indeewara said: “With the imposition of VAT on books, Sri Lanka attains the dubious distinction of becoming one of a very few countries that impose a tax on a vital source of knowledge and information. What this means is that while the rest of the world is trying to make knowledge more accessible and inclusive at the grassroots level, Sri Lanka is trying to use this industry to raise government revenue, heedless of the serious ramifications. It is a text-book case of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
“According to the International Book Publishers Association, books are not a commodity like any other, but are strategic assets that activate the knowledge economy, facilitate upward social mobility as well as personal growth, and bring widespread medium and long term social, cultural and economic benefits.”
It was also pointed out that the industry already contributes upwards of Rs 1 billion to the government’s tax revenue via the VAT paid by importers that supply 90% of the raw materials used in the production of school text books and other books. The imposition of VAT on books therefore results in an anomaly of double taxation for publishers, further aggravating a difficult situation.
The government’s decision to impose 18% VAT on books has already generated concern internationally, with the International Publishers Association (IPA) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) writing to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to voice their objections.
“Our member associations are united and have made efforts to engage with your office to explain the catastrophic consequences that such a tariff will have on the country’s book sector. We stand in solidarity with Sri Lankan publishers and booksellers, and urge you to reconsider this measure for the benefit of the Sri Lankan literary landscape,” IPA and EIBF said in their letter to the President.
Among the Sri Lankan organizations and personalities that attended the news conference to call for the restoration of the VAT exemption on books were the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association (SLBPA), the Sri Lanka Book Importers and Exporters Association, the Sri Lanka Writers Association, and several leading writers, academics, educationists and author-publishers.
Compensation awarded to 1,898 voluntarily retired CEB employees
The government has drawn up a comprehensive plan to reduce electricity tariffs through the ongoing restructuring of the power sector, with a strong focus on expanding renewable energy generation and improving the efficiency of hydropower production, Power and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said last Thursday.
The Minister said the long-term objective of the restructuring programme was to lower generation costs and ultimately pass the benefits on to consumers through reduced electricity bills.
He made these remarks while addressing a ceremony held to award financial compensation to employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board who opted for voluntary retirement under the government’s power sector restructuring programme. The event was held at the EDL D4 Auditorium in Dehiwala.
“One of the key objectives of restructuring the Electricity Board is to improve efficiency. Through this process, we are establishing institutions capable of delivering a higher standard of service to consumers while fulfilling the promises made to the people of this country,” the Minister said.
He stressed that the government was committed not only to modernising the sector but also to honouring all assurances given to employees during the restructuring process.
“We have been able to fulfil the promises made to the employees as well. I sincerely wish that all those receiving retirement compensation today will realise their hopes and aspirations,” he added.
The Minister further noted that increasing the contribution from renewable energy sources while ensuring more efficient utilisation of hydropower resources would significantly reduce electricity generation costs in the future, enabling authorities to provide much-needed relief to electricity consumers burdened by high utility costs.
According to the Ministry, financial compensation was awarded to 1,898 CEB employees who chose voluntary retirement under the restructuring initiative, marking one of the most significant workforce transitions undertaken in Sri Lanka’s power sector in recent years.
Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Arkam Ilyas, heads of successor power sector institutions and several senior officials also attended the event.
By Ifham Nizam
The Most Venerable Shasthrapathi Urulawatte Dhammarakkhitha Thera, Senior Member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, has extended a gesture of public welfare by donating wheelchairs to temples and the Mahiyangana Base Hospital.
The initiative, carried out under the auspices of the Mahiyangana and Rideemaliyadda Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandala, is aimed at improving mobility facilities for patients and elderly monks in the region.
As part of the programme, eight wheelchairs were handed over to the Mahiyangana Base Hospital. The donation was received by Hospital Director Dr. Senarath Bandara from the Thera at a ceremony held at the temple premises.
In addition, wheelchairs were distributed among several temples in the area to support resident monks in their daily activities and religious duties.
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, led by Chief Sangha Nayaka of Uva Bintenna Depalatha, Royal Pandit Ven. Napatavala Dhammananda Thera. Senior clergy and hospital officials present underscored the significance of the initiative, which sought to strengthen both religious welfare support and local healthcare services.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
The 17th Kandy District National War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony was held on May 15 at the National War Heroes Monument premises in Mailapitiya, Gurudeniya.
The event was attended by Central Province Governor Professor Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Members of Parliament, Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake, senior tri-forces and police officials, and the next of kin of fallen war heroes.
The ceremony was jointly organised by the Central Province Governor’s Office, the Provincial Council, the Kandy District Secretariat and the Kandy District Tri-Forces War Heroes Forum to pay tribute to military and police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Floral tributes were laid before the memorial plaques by dignitaries and family members in remembrance of the fallen war heroes.
A solemn guard of honour was also accorded during the commemoration ceremony.
Governor Professor Sarath Abeykoon laid the first floral wreath at the Mailapitiya National War Heroes Monument, followed by senior commanders representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and Police, who paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
Foreign funding and private donations for CIABOC
First drop in new business in three years: The hidden warning in Sri Lanka’s April PMI
Ominous signs on economic front
Govt. unveils plan to reduce electricity tariffs through power sector reforms
Wheelchairs for temples, hospital in welfare drive
Kandy honours fallen war heroes at Mailapitiya ceremony
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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