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SJB questions tax exemptions given to Adani-led project

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The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) raised the issue of tax exemptions given to West Container Terminal (WCT) at a meeting chaired by Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance.

This was the first Committee meeting held for the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament.

India’s Adani Group in late September last year sealed a deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to develop and run the strategic Colombo Port’s West Container Terminal. Adani secured 51 per cent stake at the WCT.

The two local entities would hold 34 % (SLPA) and 15 (JKH) % cent stakes of the new joint company titled the West Container International Terminal.

A statement issued by Parliament yesterday (10) stated that the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2254/2 of 15th November 2021 for the purpose of tax exemptions for the West Container Terminal (WCT-1) Expansion Development Project for under the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008 was also approved at the Committee meeting.

“It will exempt the shareholders of the project from income tax for a period of 25 years and VAT, PAL, Cess and Customs exemptions will be for a period of 5 years. MP Harsha de Silva has asked the newly appointed Chairman to the Board of Investments (BOI) Raja Edirisuriya how appropriate this tax exemption is for a country like Sri Lanka which is suffering from economic difficulties. MP Prof. Ranjith Bandara pointed out that granting such tax exemptions is essential in order to compete with other countries in the current context, according to the statement,” the statement added.



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Southern Expressway land leased to Rajapaksa allies for Rs. 10,000 – Minister

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Bimal Rathnayake

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday that a service area on the Southern Expressway had been leased for 99 years to individuals linked to the Rajapaksa family for just Rs. 10,000.

Responding to questions raised by Opposition MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Ajith P. Perera, Minister Rathnayake also claimed that the Rajapaksa associates had obstructed the construction of several other approved service areas along the expressway.

He said that the Southern Expressway project suffered from serious irregularities, including deviations from feasibility studies, which he said led to the wastage of billions of rupees.

Highlighting specific discrepancies, the Minister pointed to the construction of two interchanges that were not part of the original expressway blueprint.

“One is at Kapuduwa, just 5 km from Godagama in Matara, serving only traffic to and from Colombo. The other is at Bedigama, 6 km from Beliatta,” he said, adding that each interchange cost over Rs. 10 million to build.

By Saman Indrajith

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Hike in bus fares if Israel-Iran conflict results in higher fuel prices

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Gemunu

A hike in private bus fares could be on the cards next month if global fuel prices continue to climb as a result of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President, Gemunu Wijeratne.

Wijeratne told The Island yesterday (20), that the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for the 1st of next month, could lead to a revision in fares, should fuel prices in the global market remain on an upward trajectory.

He said that while fuel prices are already high due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions, the Association is cautious about pushing for a fare increase immediately, warning that such a move could adversely affect the industry in the current economic climate.

However, Wijeratne emphasised that if international fuel prices stabilise and remain at their present levels, a fare hike may not be necessary.

“The situation is being closely monitored. We hope that the global market stabilises, but if fuel prices continue to rise, we will have no choice but to adjust fares accordingly,” he added.

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️

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Committee probing alleged abuse of power by IGP approves inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad

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The Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The Committee also includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Parliament Media Division said.

It said that as of Thursday, 28 prosecution witnesses have testified before the Committee, including seven on that day (Thursday).

The Committee has also approved the inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad on official duty, to testify after their return to the country on 26 June. This request was submitted by Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department.

Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, appearing on behalf of IGP Tennakoon, gave his consent for the two witnesses to be summoned for examination and cross-examination upon their return. The Committee granted the request.

Although initially scheduled to reconvene yesterday (20), proceedings have been postponed to Monday, 23 June, following a request by Weerawikrama to allow additional time to prepare the IGP’s defence. With the Attorney General’s Department not objecting, the Committee approved the postponement.

The next sessions will be held from 23 to 25 June, commencing at 9:30 a.m. daily. During this period, 15 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the Respondent IGP.The Committee will reconvene again at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26June, following the conclusion of the defense’s witness testimonies.

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