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Customs spokesman rejects COPA concerns
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Senior Director of Customs Seevali Arukgoda strongly defended Customs Officers’ Management and Compensation Fund (COMCF) taking 70% of total penalty imposed on public or private sector wrongdoers. The fund is believed to be the largest of its kind in the country.
Arukgoda, who also functions as the Customs spokesperson, insisted that 20% of their share was spent on foreign training for Customs officers, rewards for officers as well as informants and police and security forces personnel responsible for successful detections. The Customs spokesperson said so when The Island sought his response to parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) expressing concern over the government receiving only 30% of the penalty. COPA has been pushing for speedy collection of taxes as the country struggles to meet IMF conditions pertaining to revenue targets.
The COPA pointed out that the 70:30 ratio applied to all penalties imposed on offenders. The all-party committee has asserted that the ratio that had been decided by stakeholders wasn’t fair. Arukgoda pointed out that COMCF provided funds for various needs that should have been otherwise met by the government, and that, too, should have been taken into consideration. Therefore, it wouldn’t be fair to assert that the entire sum was utilised by the Customs rewards’ scheme, Arukgoda said, adding that even the Supreme Court endorsed the operation of that scheme.
Referring to just one incident out of about two, over so many years, the killing of Assistant Superintendent Customs Sujith Prasanna Perera on March 24, 2001 in the Kelaniya police area, Arukgoda said that the fund was meant to assist families of officers in such instances. The fund managed by Customs is subjected to scrutiny by the Treasury and the Auditor General’s Department.
COPA recently questioned the rationale behind Customs taking 70 percent of the Rs 205 mn fine imposed on the government managed venture Lanka Coal Private Limited for furnishing false data when an additional Rs 187 mn VAT (Value Added Tax) could have been imposed instead. Had that been done, the entire sum would have been credited to the Treasury, COPA said. The House asserted that instead of imposing additional VAT after the detection of the offense, Customs imposed a penalty to secure 70% of the penalty.
Arukgoda stressed that the operation of the fund was in line with the law and accepted by all stakeholders. The Customs spokesperson asserted that there was no need to alter the operation of the fund or the method of its funding.
When the top management of the Customs was questioned by the parliamentary watchdog on this matter during a recent meeting in Parliament, officers claimed that they were engaged in discussions with the Treasury to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, according to the statement issued by Parliament.
Responding to further queries, the Customs spokesperson maintained that they couldn’t treat the public and private sector differently. “Some have suggested that state sector enterprises be exempted from penalties. But that cannot be done unless the government amended the relevant laws and regulations,” the outspoken official said, while disclosing that there were other cases involving the Sri Lanka Telecom, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board as well as Lanka Coal Pvt. Ltd.
When The Island raised this matter recently at the Presidential Media Centre, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the Treasury was engaged in a dialogue with Customs in this regard. The Minister said that the issue at hand should be discussed taking into consideration the overall picture.
The minister added that the government was taking appropriate measures to streamline revenue collection. The Minister explained the continuing difficulties experienced by the government in collecting taxes, penalties and interests with over Rs 700 bn tied up in legal cases. The Kegalle district lawmaker said that Rs 943 bn categorized as uncollected taxes according to latest available reports pertained to cases pending the past 20 years.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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