News

Govt., Opposition clash over alleged bid to tax EPF

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/9

By Saman Indrajith

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament yesterday that there was a cold war within the SJB for the Opposition Leader’s post.

“Incumbent Opposition Leader is so upset and is trying to prove his relevance as other members in his party see a better and qualified leader in Patali Champika Ranawaka. Owing to this pressure, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has lost control of his mind and speaks whatever comes to his mind,” Minister Fernando said.

He said so during a heated debate that ensued in Parliament yesterday following Opposition Leader Premadasa, asking the government to withdraw a gazette announcing the Surcharge Tax Bill, which seeks to tax the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

Opposition Leader Premadasa said that the new Bill was a government plan to help itself to workers’ savings.

The Opposition Leader making a special statement demanded to know the government’s position with regard to the decline of usable foreign reserves to US $ 700 million. He questioned the measures taken by the Finance Ministry to contain the rising cost of goods, reasons for high inflation, among other key economic issues. He asked whether the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa had requested a report on the financial situation under Financial Bill no 58 of 1948. He questioned the gazette notification issued on Monday 07 February 2022, according to which the government proposes a 25 percent tax on EPF. The Opposition Leader insisted that the government should answer his question.

Minister Fernando said that the government would not be able to reply to the gossip spread by the Opposition Leader.

“Opposition Leader Premadasa has come up with gossip. However, the Finance Minister will answer all questions he has raised in writing on another date,” he said.

Opposition Leader Premadasa:

“I only raised concerns about the financial crisis and never gossip.”

Presiding Member Deputy Chairman of Committees Angajan Ramanathan

said that the government would respond to the latter’s questions later. “The Leader of Opposition, the government will answer your question on another day,” he said.

Opposition Leader Premadasa:

“What nonsense is this? I raised pertinent questions which should be answered.”

Presiding Member Angajan Ramadanan:

The government will respond. I cannot allow more time than this. The Opposition Leader is not confining himself to the topic and then the government opposes that. This cannot go on.

SJB MP Dr Harsha de Silva

said that the government was trying to take over the workers’ savings.

SJB MP Kabir Hashim

also said that the government should provide an answer to the questions raised by his leader, and the Chief Government Whip had no brains.

Opposition Leader Premadasa:

I need a microphone. The Finance Minister is not in the House.

Chief Government Whip Fernando:

The Finance Minister and State Minister both are attending another function. We will respond to your questions soon.

Opposition Leader Premadasa:

According to parliamentary tradition, when the Opposition Leader is on his feet, his microphone should be on. But mine has been switched off.

Chief Government Whip Fernando:

We have clearly stated that we would respond. MP Hashim said I have no brains. But the capacity of the brains of those in the Opposition was shown when they had to lose power in four and half years. The Opposition Leader is scared that he would lose his post to Champika Ranawaka.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

51 mins ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

55 mins ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]