News

Rs. 904 bn. arrears amount due to IRD – COPA

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

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It was revealed at during a meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the total arrears of taxes, penalties and interest due to the Inland Revenue Department by December 31, 2022 in relation to RAMIS and Legacy systems is Rs. 904,342,180,778 (904 billion).

It was disclosed that an amount of Rs. 163,425,093,401 (163 billion) has been identified as income that can be collected without any legal concern and that Rs. 740,917,087,377 (740 billion) has been identified as income that has been temporarily suspended due to certain reasons.

The Auditor General also pointed out that this amount has been identified as the total arrears of tax to be collected under both RAMIS and Legacy systems and there was a discussion at length about not collecting the revenue due that could be collected off this tax arrears.

The Chair of this Committee, State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna, recommended that a report be given to COPA with dates containing information on how to collect the tax arrears identified as chargeable income which can be collected least in installments. The Chair also recommended that a separate report should be given on the total outstanding tax amount of 904 billion rupees and the report should state in detail how taxes have been evaded and the reasons for such.

This was disclosed when the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) met recently (12) under the Chairmanship of State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna for the reviewing of the current performance and progress of the Inland Revenue Department which was summoned before COPA on the 28th of November 2022.

It was also discussed that the RAMIS computer system was not at a proper level of operation and that there were no trained personnel to operate the system once it was set up. Therefore, the need to prepare a suitable program for that was mentioned here.

Furthermore, the existence of return cheques worth 2,488,003,615 rupees (2.4 billion) as at 30 June 2022 according to COPA discussion held on 28.11.2022 was also discussed. The officials who were present pointed out that 90% of tax payments are made through the Bank of Ceylon and even though the tax payments are approved on the day they are paid, they are shown as return cheques the next day. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee contacted the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon via phone during the Committee and gave relevant instructions.

A discussion was also held regarding taxation on the gross collection for the casino business.

State Minister – Diana Gamage, Members of Parliament – Niroshan Perera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Sivagnanam Sritharan, Hector Appuhamy, Isuru Dodangoda and (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya were present at the Committee meeting held.

News

A change in dry weather

Published

2 hours ago

March 8, 2025

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The Department of Meteorology states that a temporary change in the dry weather conditions prevailing in the island is expected during the coming 10th and 11th days.

Showers are possible at isolated places throughout the island, especially in the Eastern and Uva provinces.

However, the department also informs that the island will remain mainly rainless except for a few showers that may occur in the Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, and Kalutara districts during the evening or night.

News

Government accused of jeopardizing 100,000 solar panel users

Published

2 hours ago

March 8, 2025

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It is reported that over 100,000 homeowners who have installed solar power systems on their roofs are at serious risk.

Solar power industry professionals claim that this risky situation has arisen due to regulations introduced by the government.

‘Sathi Aga Aruna’ has reported that Javid Kamil, Chairman of the Solar Industry Association (SIA), stated, “Rooftop solar power systems alone will contribute 500 megawatts to the national electricity grid by 2024, about 5% of the national demand. Those who install solar power systems on their roofs are currently paid Rs.27 per unit if under 500 kilowatts and Rs.23 per unit if above 500 kilowatts. However, the government is attempting to reduce these rates by 30%. Under such circumstances, companies undertaking solar projects will face collapse.”

The SIA Chairman further emphasized, “A solar power system is installed with a 20-year warranty. Currently, over 100,000 people rely on these systems. If solar companies shut down, maintaining these systems will become impossible. We urge the government to maintain the current price paid per kilowatt unit and not impose reductions.”

The Chairman of the Solar Industry Association has further pointed out “The Ceylon Electricity Board’s statement that rooftop solar power systems were responsible for the island-wide power outage that occurred on February 9, 2025, is completely false. We urge the government to appoint an independent committee to investigate this matter. Based on that incident, the Ceylon Electricity Board has requested that rooftop solar energy systems be shut down every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.”

News

Fertilizer subsidy for small-scale coconut growers

Published

2 hours ago

March 8, 2025

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The Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Hon. Samantha Vidyarathna, has announced that a fertilizer subsidy will be provided to coconut plantation owners with less than five acres of land.

The Minister stated that this program was made possible through the preparation of 56,000 metric tons of mixed fertilizer, utilizing 27,500 metric tons of Muriate of Potash (MOP) from the 55,000 metric tons received as a donation from Russia.

The Minister also stated that steps will be taken to provide 50-kilogram mixed fertilizer bundles worth Rs.9,500 to coconut growers across the country by the end of this month at a concessional price of 4,000.