News
Govt. has given first priority to roads and bridges at a time of economic crisis – Kiriella
BUDGET DEBATE
by Saman Indrajith
People hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to an economic crisis, did not expect the government to consider roads and bridges as its first priority in the budget proposals. What the masses looked forward to were relief measures to regain their livelihoods, Chief Opposition Whip, Kandy District MP, Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament.
Speaking during the second reading stage debate on budget 2021 proposals, MP Kiriella said: People in all strata of life have common expectations from any budget – that’s relief and pay hikes. They do not wait till the budget comes to see how many roads or bridges the government is planning to build. Their hope is to see what the government would do to help them solve their day-to-day problems.
The government cannot say that it is not possible to give relief to the people. Soon after it came to power, it granted Rs. 600 billion in tax concessions to its friendly businessmen. By doing so, such a colossal amount was lost as government revenue. Now, what are those companies saying in return? They have taken up the position that due to the pandemic crisis this year, they will not be able to pay taxes next year as well. If the government could help the rich in that manner, why can’t it help the poor to survive?, he asked.
Kiriella said that if the government did not give Rs 600 billion relief to the big companies, they could have used the money to help the people. What do you intend to tell the people when you go to villages? Around 200,000 persons have lost their jobs during the past several months. Every public institution has lost around 40 percent of their revenue.
“Just like every government in the world talking about the indigenous economy when they have lost everything, this government too now talks of promoting the indigenous economy.
We remember that the United Front Government also talked about the indigenous economy during 1970-77. The government starts talking of indigenous medicine when it does not have foreign exchange”, he said.
“The government lost a huge sum of money by helping its friends. Now it does not have money to do business with the international community. The day would not be far when we see long queues lining up in front of shops because there is bound to be shortage of goods. Cooperatives are already empty. I heard that the Bokkawela cooperative shop in Kandy was closed because there were no goods. This is the reality in the country”, he further said.
“The government should not forget that people have been hard hit by the pandemic and they deserve relief. Since the first budget after we came to power, we offered immense relief to the people. We brought down the prices of sugar, milk powder, Sustagen, bread, sprats, canned fish, Maldive fish, rice and chillies. We increased Samurdhi payments. We increased the Mahapola bursary. We gave a seven perch plot of land to estate workers. We increased the salaries of public servants. We reduced the price of gas. There is nothing of that sort in this budget,” MP Kiriella said.
“We increased the salaries of each public servant by Rs. 10,000. What are you going to give? You are proposing them to do another job after their regular work. From 9 am to 4 pm they work in their offices and could people have the energy to do another job? Who would be at home then? When will these people have time to rest? We call on the government not to play with the lives of people”, the Kandy district parliamentarian added.
Dr. (Ms.) Siri Walt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Sri Lanka, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).
During the meeting, Ambassador Walt extended her congratulations to President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Switzerland.
Ambassador Walt reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka, particularly through the ongoing IMF program, and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to assist in President Dissanayake’s efforts to combat corruption. She also emphasized Switzerland’s expertise in foreign direct investments (FDI) and tourism, offering assistance to Sri Lanka in these sectors to promote economic growth.
Further areas of collaboration discussed included constitutional reforms and labour migration, with Ambassador
Business
President discusses enhancing revenue and efficiency with Sri Lanka Customs and Inland Revenue officials
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a key meeting with senior officials from both the Sri Lanka Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (09). The discussions centered on strategies to enhance revenue generation and improve operational efficiency within both departments, in line with the government’s broader economic mandate.
During the meeting, officials from both departments presented the challenges they face in managing revenue and tackling tax evasion. They stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Customs to effectively combat these issues. It was highlighted that better collaboration would ensure more robust enforcement of tax laws and prevent tax leakage, further boosting the country’s revenue collection.
Representing the Sri Lanka Customs Department were P B S C Nonis, Director General of Customs; Mrs. H W S P Karunaratne, Additional Director General of Customs; . C S A Chandrasekara, Additional Director General of Customs; W S I Silva, Additional Director General of Customs; S P Arukgoda, Additional Director General of Customs; J M M G Wijeratna Bandara, Additional Director General of Customs; A. W. L. C. Weerakoon, Senior Deputy Director and M R G A B Muthukuda, Chief Financial Officer, among other officials.
From the Inland Revenue Department, Mrs. W S Chandrasekara, Commissioner General; B K S Shanta, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. J A D D B K Siriwardena, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. J D Ranasinghe, Deputy Commissioner General; D M N S B Dissanayake, Deputy Commissioner General; H H S Samantha Kumara; and Ms. T M S Thennakone, Senior Commissioner, participated in the discussions.
News
Vietnamese Ambassador meets President; explores possibility of enhancing direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka
The Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Ms Trinh Thi Tam, paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (09).
During the meeting, Ambassador Tam conveyed her congratulations on behalf of the Government of Vietnam and expressed optimism for continued cooperation between the two nations.
Highlighting Vietnam’s achievements in foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, President Dissanayake requested Vietnam’s assistance in fostering these sectors in Sri Lanka.
The discussion also explored the possibility of enhancing direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, with a focus on strengthening Buddhist ties and cultural connections. Ambassador Tam further pledged to explore opportunities to promote Sri Lanka as a key destination for Vietnamese tourists, thereby expanding people-to-people connections and boosting tourism.
Swiss ambassador meets President Dissanayake
President discusses enhancing revenue and efficiency with Sri Lanka Customs and Inland Revenue officials
Vietnamese Ambassador meets President; explores possibility of enhancing direct flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka
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