News
COPF chief slams govt., Customs for failing to adopt proper tax system
E-commerce controversy:
Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva has alleged that the government’s long standing failure to adopt a proper tax system for e-commerce allowed various platforms to exploit the local market. The SJB lawmaker also found fault with the Customs for not addressing this issue until their failure was exposed in Parliament.
The former UNP State Minister issued the following statement yesterday: “As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), I’m committed to building a fair and transparent economy for Sri Lanka. Recent accusations, directed at me regarding curtailing e-commerce, are baseless and misleading. Let me set the record straight and address the real issue.
On June 3, 2025, our COPF inquiry exposed Customs’ informal weight-based tax system for e-commerce, which lacked legal backing for years. The government’s inaction allowed platforms like Temu to flood our market with untaxed bulk imports, undercutting local SMEs and taking undue advantage of the loopholes in the law. Then when this practice had come to light in April during meetings with stakeholders, Customs had scrambled to revert to HS code-based taxation, but without a proper framework, consumers are now facing absurd costs—a 500 LKR item can incur 37,000 LKR in charges. This inefficiency hurts shoppers, businesses, and our economy.
I’m advocating for dedicated and simplified HS codes for B2C e-commerce and vendor-collected taxes, like VAT systems in the EU and Vietnam, to ensure fair pricing, protect local SMEs, and boost transparent revenue collection. E-commerce should empower consumers and entrepreneurs, not penalise them. I’m fighting for a system that supports public aspirations—affordable online shopping, thriving local businesses, and a stronger Sri Lanka.”
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
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