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COPA slams electric vehicle import scam

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The former Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has been found by the parliamentary watchdog committee COPA (Committee on Public Accounts) to be responsible for causing losses exceeding two billion rupees to the government due to the misuse of licenses for importing fully electric vehicles for Lankans working abroad, based on foreign remittances.

During the probe, COPA Chairman MP Aravinda Senarath stated that the former Secretary had carried out these irregular activities at the request of the former Minister, and that these actions seemed to be aimed at providing privileges to a select group of individuals.

It was found that malpractices occurred, ranging from the same importers holding over 600 electric vehicle licenses to issuing licenses to individuals who had not travelled abroad during the relevant period.

The Auditor General pointed out that the government lost Rs. 2.42 billion in tax revenue due to the increase in the luxury tax exemption limit for 921 electric vehicles imported up to September 30, 2024.

The committee also discussed special audit reports regarding a scheme implemented between May 1, 2022, and September 15, 2023, which granted permits for the importation of fully electric vehicles for Lankans employed abroad, based on foreign remittances.

The Auditor General further revealed that 1,077 vehicle permits were issued during this period, of which 77 permits were later cancelled. Two main institutions had acted as importers, providing facilities for 640 permit holders. The Auditor General emphasized that this indicated the creation of a business under the pretext of permit issuance.

Moreover, due to the increase in the luxury tax exemption threshold from Rs. 6 million to Rs. 12 million for 921 vehicles imported until September 30, 2024, the Auditor General stated that the government lost Rs. 2.42 billion in tax revenue.

It was also revealed that four individuals who had not travelled abroad during the relevant period were issued electric vehicle permits. Since the circular related to this scheme did not specify a minimum duration of overseas employment required for eligibility, individuals who had been abroad for as little as three days to three months, as well as those who travelled intermittently, were granted permits. It was also revealed that the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment had implemented this scheme prior to its revision.

COPA has recommended that an internal investigation be conducted and a report be submitted within a month, and that disciplinary action be taken against the officials involved in these irregularities.

Deputy Ministers Maj Gen (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, Nalin Hewage, Sugath Thilakaratne, and MPs Kabir Hashim, Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Sagarika Athauda, Oshani Umanga, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, T.K. Jayasundara, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Lal Premanath, and several government officials attended the meeting.



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Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

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Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

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New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

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Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

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Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

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