News
COPA recommends Excise Department speedily set up computer database to streamline its revenue calculation
by Saman Indrajith
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has directed the Excise Department to expedite the establishment of the computer database system to streamline the calculation of its revenue. This system will link the Excise Department, the Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department.
According to a COPA media release this recommendation was made to the Excise Department during the COPA meeting chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitarana, held on 19 April to inquire into the Auditor General’s Report for the Department for the year 2020 and its current performance.
Commissioner General of Excise M.J. Gunasiri told the Committee that preliminary work on the computer system has already begun and it will be completed by January 2023.
The Committee instructed the Commissioner General to call for bids from the University of Moratuwa and the University of Colombo and make appropriate arrangements.
The Committee pointed out that establishing the database would enable the government to carry out the functions of the Excise Department, one of the country’s leading revenue earners, more efficiently and to increase its revenue significantly.
The Committee also drew attention to the progress made in maintaining a secure sticker management system for bottles of liquor and liquor-related products to increase government revenue. It was revealed that with the introduction of this sticker management system, the revenue of the Excise Department has increased by 17% in the first three months of last year alone.
The Committee also focused on management shortcomings, including the failure to document and maintain information on excise duty reduction on liquor exports and directed that appropriate action be taken to rectify them as soon as possible.
Members of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, (Dr.) (Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Prasanna Ranaweera, Mohomad Muzammil, (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi and Weerasumana Weerasinghe were also present at this meeting.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported yesterday that 211 people had gone missing following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The disaster has left 639 individuals dead, and 84,674 people from 26,563 families are sheltered in 866 safety centres across the country.
The DMC also confirmed extensive damage to houses. It said about 5,588 had been destroyed and 102,246 others damaged.
Authorities continue to coordinate relief efforts as they assess the full scale of the destruction and work to provide shelter and aid to thousands of displaced persons.
by Chaminda Silva
The government has decided to convene Parliament on 18 December to secure legislative approval for emergency funding for disaster relief.
The special session has been called to allocate funds for relief efforts for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and for repairs to infrastructure and property damaged by the severe weather.
Officials said the government would submit a supplementary estimate seeking parliamentary approval for the required funds.
A debate will be conducted before the estimate is endorsed by the House.
Parliament adjourned until 06 January, 2026, following the passage of Budget 2026.
by Akitha Perera
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has urged the public to avoid non-essential travel this weekend. It has done so in response to numerous phone inquiries from people planning leisure trips.
Red alerts remain in effect for 33 Divisional Secretariat areas across four districts due to landslides, following heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm in recent days in the Badulla and Kandy districts.
“Landslides were reported on Thursday (11) in Meegahakivula and Demodara,” said Dr. Vasantha Senadeera, Senior Geologist at NBRO.
“The public should remain vigilant, monitor weather forecasts closely, and follow Stage 2 warnings carefully.”
Stage 1 alerts remain active for 17 divisions across three districts, while Level 3 warnings and red alerts cover Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matale districts. Level 2 warnings apply to Badulla, Kegalle, Kurunegala (Polgahawela and Alawwa), Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura, while Level 1 warnings and yellow alerts advise caution in certain areas of Gampaha, Kurunegala, and Ratnapura.
Dr. Senadeera emphasized that, given the ongoing disaster situation, people should reconsider weekend trips and stay indoors wherever possible. “We have received several calls asking whether it is safe to travel,” he said. “The answer is to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement in high-risk areas.”
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Sujeewa Thathsara
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