News
SLPP rebels propose amendments to 2017 Foreign Exchange Act to overcome financial crisis
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The economy was in such a precarious situation that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government couldn’t further delay the restoration of the relevant provisions of the 1953 Foreign Exchange Act to compel the private sector to bring back export proceeds, rebel SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday (30).
Referring to a spate of declarations made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, both in and outside Parliament, Prof. Peiris emphasised the urgent need to amend the 2017 Foreign Exchange Act enacted by the Yahapalana administration to discard the tried and tested law that existed since 1953. Altogether 94 MPs voted for the new Bill whereas 18 voted against. The rest skipped the vote.
The former minister dealt with the issue at the weekly media briefing held at the SLPP rebels’ office at Nawala.
Prof. Peiris explained how tangible measures, if taken to amend the Yahapalana Foreign Exchange Act, could help the government to ease pressure on the Treasury. “People do not have to be further burdened in a bid to bridge the Budget deficit. The government shouldn’t hesitate to pressure exporters to bring back export proceeds by amending the 2017 Bill,” Prof. Peiris said, warning the government of dire consequences if it failed to act immediately.
The academic alleged that the country was paying a very heavy price for the deliberate failure on the part of the government to collect taxes and tax concessions granted to those near and dear to the powers that be.
Prof. Peiris asked whether the Treasury and the Inland Revenue Department deliberately allowed influential private sector persons to skip paying taxes. Referring to statements issued by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka and Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Prof. Peiris said that the IRD and the Excise Department pathetically failed to meet revenue targets.
The former minister said that the overall failure of revenue collection apparatus consisting of IRD, Excise and Customs to meet revenue targets over the years had contributed to the developing economic crisis and the powers that be were yet to take remedial measures.
Prof. Peiris said that massive fraud perpetrated by liquor manufacturers with the connivance of the interested parties is a case in point. The former minster discussed how the Treasury suffered heavy losses and how two liquor manufactures were allowed to continue without paying what they owed the Excise Department.
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
Flaws in law blamed for chaos
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.
Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.
The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)
United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).
Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.
Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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