News
Excise chief removed
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Commissioner General of Excise, J. M. Gunasiri was removed from his post yesterday with immediate effect.
Gunasiri was appointed the Excice Chief in early Dec. 2020. The then government replaced R. A. Bodaragama with Gunasiri under controversial circumstances.
Cabinet spokesperson Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (08) announced the decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to remove the Commissioner General of Excise, J. M. Gunasiri, with immediate effect and replace him with U. D. N. Jayaweera, a special grade officer of the Inland Revenue Service.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Herath said Gunasiri was working on acontract basis.
His replacement, Jayaweera, at present, serves as an Additional Secretary (Agency Coordination 11) of the Presidential Secretariat.
Herath said the Sri Lanka Excise Department is the main revenue collection agency of the government and the efficiency and the good governance of this Department directly affects the revenue of the government.
Commissioner General of Excise Gunasiri has faced multiple allegations during his tenure, including claims that he has been secretly issuing liquor licenses beyond the legal limit. A few months ago, a group of liquor shop owners filed petitions, leading the Supreme Court to issue an interim injunction halting the issuance of new licenses.
Despite the court order, allegations continue to surface, suggesting that licenses have been issued in violation of the injunction. In response, the Supreme Court has extended its injunction and granted leave to proceed with four petitions filed by wine shop owners, challenging the unlawful issuance of licenses under excise regulations.
The trial, which names both the former Minister of Finance and the Commissioner General of Excise as respondents, is set to begin on 06 February 2025.
News
UNESCO Director General candidate Dr. Khaled El Enany meets Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka
Dr. Khaled El Enany – the UNESCO Director General Candidate of the Arab Republic of Egypt met with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Risvie Salih at the Parliament premises recently (May 05).
During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the long-standing and cordial bilateral relationship between Egypt and Sri Lanka, emphasizing their shared commitment to further strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest. Dr. El Enany outlined his vision as a candidate for UNESCO leadership, highlighting his dedication to fostering cultural collaboration and understanding among nations. Dr. Risvie Salih also highlighted Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy and long-standing relationship with Egypt.
The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, and Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Samantha Ranasinghe was sworn in today (May 08) before the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, as a Member of the Tenth Parliament.
Following the oath and affirmation before the Speaker, he signed the Members’ Roll placed before the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.
Member of Parliament Samantha Ranasinghe has been thus appointed to fill the vacancy created due to the demise of Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, who served as a Member of Parliament from the Kegalle District representing the National People’s Power.
News
Cabinet grants approval to proceed with the amendment of the Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 07.08.2023 to amend the Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980. The Legal Draftsmen has pointed out that the approval of the current Cabinet of Ministers has to be obtained to proceed with the actions amendment of the draft bill.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to grant the policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to proceed with the actions of amendment of the Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980.
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