News

Govt. in desperate bid to collect tax arrears running into billions of rupees

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/28

The all-party Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has directed the Inland Revenue Department to take all possible measures to collect tax arrears running into billions of rupees. In the absence of COPA Chairman Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, JVP member of Parliament, chaired its recent proceedings.

Dr. Amarasuriya told the Inland Revenue Department to submit a report within two to five months on taxes and penalties in default to be recovered.

The following is the text of a statement issued by the Communications Department of Parliament: “COPA directed the Inland Revenue Department to submit a report within two to five months with regard to the Taxes and Penalties in default to be recovered from tax payers without any complications and the amount where recovery is possible but contains considerable issues.

The directive to submit the report pertaining to the amount of Taxes and Penalties to be recovered without any complications related to the Legacy computer system owned by the Inland Revenue Department and the amount where recovery is possible but contains considerable issues was made by Member of Parliament Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who served as the acting Chairperson of the COPA Committee.

The acting Chairperson further instructed the department to submit a report to the Committee within five months on the amount of Taxes and Penalties in default to be recovered without any complications in relation to the RAMIS computer system and the amount where recovery is possible but contains considerable issues.

According to the Legacy system, Rs. 18 billion had been identified as tax arrears of the identified companies as at 30.03.2021, and it was disclosed that it was 17 percent compared to the total outstanding revenue of Rs. 107 billion as at June 30, 2020.

According to the RAMIS system, Rs. 87 billion had been identified as tax arrears of the identified companies on 30.03.2021 and it was disclosed that it was an increase of 47.5 percent compared to the total outstanding revenue of Rs. 183 billion as at June 30, 2020.

The Committee informed the Inland Revenue Department that all arrears pertaining to the Legacy System should be recovered expeditiously and action should be taken to end the functions of the system.

The Committee had earlier instructed the Ministry of Justice to implement a program to expedite the proceedings in the courts regarding the recovery of tax arrears and the process on this regard was taken into review.

The Ministry of Justice informed the Committee that the matter has been discussed with the Judicial Service Commission and that a proper mechanism is currently underway to expedite cases in the court proceedings regarding the recovery of tax arrears.

State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Members of Parliament Tissa Attanayake, Niroshan Perera, Dr. Upul Galappaththi and B.Y.G Ratnasekera marked their attendance at this COPA Committee Meeting which was held to review the progress of the implementation of the directives given during the discussions held on January 06th 2021 and March 10th pertaining to the Special Audit Report Taxes and Penalties in Default to be Recovered from Taxpayers.”

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

10 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

11 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

12 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.