News

Mahindananda remanded till May 26

Published

2 months ago

May 20, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday (19) rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and ordered that he be remanded until May 26.

The remand order comes in connection with the importation of allegedly substandard organic fertiliser from a Chinese company in 2021.

Aluthgamage appeared before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday in response to an arrest warrant issued on May 16.

The warrant was issued at the request of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which alleges that the former Minister, during his tenure as Agriculture Minister, played a role in facilitating the entry of a fertiliser shipment despite serious concerns over its quality.

Aluthgamage had previously filed an anticipatory bail application, requesting protection against detention by CIABOC. Following this, the Court instructed the Bribery Commission to present its stance on the matter in Court on May 19.

After reviewing the arguments and evidence presented by both sides, Magistrate Lakmali rejected the anticipatory bail request and ordered to remand Aluthgamage until May 26.

On April 28, the CIABOC arrested a former Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Agriculture in connection with the same fertiliser import scandal.

Investigations revealed that he authorised the reopening of suspended Letters of Credit, facilitating a payment of US$ 6.9 million, equivalent to 75% of the first shipment’s value, for substandard fertiliser, resulting in a significant financial loss to the Government.

The suspect was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, remanded until May 5, and subsequently granted bail on the same day.

News

Energy Ministry to sell luxury SUVs & utility vehicles

Published

24 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Energy has issued a public Tender notice for the sale of 14 luxury and decommissioned vehicles currently owned by the ministry.

The list includes high-end SUVs such as Toyota Land Cruisers, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz E200 CGI, and several other utility vehicles.

Interested bidders must submit a separate application and bid for each vehicle. Application forms can be obtained by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 5,000 per vehicle at the Ministry’s Accounts Division on the 3rd Floor, No. 437, Galle Road, Colombo 03, until July 15, 2025, during working hours.

The Tender notice made by the ministry is as follows :

BIZ

Sri Lanka targets digital income with new 18% VAT

Published

32 minutes ago

July 7, 2025

editor

The government has announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) at 18% will be imposed on income earned through online services provided by foreign individuals and platforms to users in Sri Lanka, effective Oct. 01.

This move follows the issuance of an extraordinary gazette notification by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, Rukdevi Himali Fernando, aimed at regulating and taxing the growing sector of cross-border digital services.
Under the new regulation, the VAT will apply to a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Software as a Service (SaaS)
Online stores and marketplaces
Digital advertising and marketing
Cybersecurity and IT support services
Video, music, and live-streaming platforms
Online banking and financial tech services
Social media and on-demand platforms
Hotel booking and ticket reservation apps
Online gaming platforms

The regulation also clarifies that any other digital service provided via an electronic platform from outside Sri Lanka to individuals residing in the country will be subject to VAT, even if not explicitly listed.

Foreign service providers are required to register for VAT if their supply of services exceeds Rs. 60 million annually or Rs. 15 million in the past three months. Prior to registration, such non-residents must also obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

This development comes amid growing debate over taxing foreign exchange earners and aims to expand the country’s tax base in the digital economy.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SL squad announced for T20I series against B’desh

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to begin on July 10.

The squad will be led by Charith Asalanka, with notable inclusions such as Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, and the return of experienced all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne.

Match Schedule:

1st T20I on July 10th – PICS, Kandy

2nd T20I on July 13th – RDICS Dambulla

3rd T20I on July 16th – RPICS Colombo

The T20I squad is as follows :