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Need for Rs 231.5 bn to cover payments to CPC shows how mispricing burdens taxpayers – Harsha
Reiterating the urgent need for tax reforms, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP, recently pointed out that regardless of various claims tax revenue stood at only 8% of GDP, a stark contrast to the 20% it once represented during President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s time.
The former UNP State Minister and current top SJB spokesperson on economic matters addressed the issues at hand at an event held under the theme, “Insights with Harsha: Smart Policies & Economic Revival” at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI).
Dr. de Silva commented on critical issues, starting with the pressing need for tax reform. He said tax revenue currently accounted for only 8% of GDP as opposed to 20% during Ranasinghe Premadasa’s presidency. The MP emphasised the importance of revenue rationalisation while ensuring fairness in the tax system.
Another vital issue raised during the event was the adoption of cost-based tariffs or cost-reflective pricing. The MP noted that the approach helped reduce government expenditure and the funds so saved could be used to support loss-making enterprises. Referring to the need to allocate Rs 231.5 billion for the CPC he said mispricing could be a burden on the taxpaying public.
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Speaker of Parliament Asoka Ranwala resigns
NPP Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala who was appointed the 22nd Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on 21st November has resigned from his position today [13], in the wake of the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.
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Harsha Amarasekera PC appointed Chairman of the Port City Economic Commission
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.
Accordingly Harsha Amarasekera, President’s Counsel, has been appointed as the Chairman while Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe were appointed as members of the Port City Economic Commission
The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).
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“Offenders will face consequences, regardless of rank or status.” – President
“We will not allow the trust the people have placed in us to be undermined in any way,” stated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting with the heads of state media today (13).
He further emphasised, “Regardless of their status in government, if mistakes are made, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
The President further explained:
“For more than seven decades, the people of this nation have built and dismantled various governments. For the first time, we stand with a profound understanding of the historic mandate entrusted to us and the National People’s Power on two occasions.
The people placed their faith in the National People’s Power (NPP) government, hoping for a standardised and stable country. We will not tarnish that extraordinary trust, even by the slightest misconduct.
Simply put, our government is not here to shield anyone who errs, for any reason. Be it within the broader framework of the country or within our administration, anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences. We will not hesitate to act decisively and at the right time. In essence, our government will not shield anyone who makes a mistake, regardless of the reason. Whether the mistake occurs within the country or at any level within our government, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. Every necessary step will be taken at the appropriate time without delay.”
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the trust placed in them by the people, who have endured decades of deception. He pledged to work tirelessly to build a better nation.
The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Director-General of Government Information, Harsha Bandara, and the heads of state media were present at the meeting.
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