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Major vehicle recall in SL over faulty airbags

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Three leading local car dealers have decided to recall a large number of vehicles over faulty airbags and for upgrades.

The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe told News 1st that discussions are underway with all other dealers to rectify the faulty airbag issue.

Millions of vehicles ranging from a variety of makes and models across the world are being recalled due to faulty airbags made by a Japanese auto parts maker.

The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe told News 1st that vehicles that fall under the recall category are currently in use in Sri Lanka.

He said that a special meeting will take place on Tuesday (14) with local car dealers to address the issue.

It has now been confirmed that vehicles with defective airbags that can increase the risk of injury, fail to protect occupants, or cause a driver to crash have been sold across the world, and these include Sedans and SUBs.

Although vehicles belonging to the relevant make and models have been recalled overseas to rectify the issue, in Sri Lanka, those vehicles continue to operate in the streets.

The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe said that local vehicle importers have decided to recall 47 vehicle models with faulty airbags to rectify the issue.

These include the following:

  • Honda: 33 Models from 9 vehicle types
  • Mitsubishi: 8 Models from 3 vehicle types
  • Toyota: 6 Models

However, across the world, over 100 vehicle models have been recalled to rectify the airbag issue, and they include the following:

  • Mazda: 7 vehicle categories
  • Benz: 10 vehicle categories
  • Mitsubishi: 6 vehicle categories
  • Subaru: 5 vehicle categories
  • Toyota: 13 vehicle categories
  • Volkswagen: 7 vehicle categories
  • Audi: 19 vehicle categories
  • Lexus: 7 vehicle categories
  • Honda: 16 vehicle categories

In addition, vehicles belonging to 7 Honda categories have been classified as high risk.

(newsfirst.lk)

BIZ

Price formula needed to regulate wheat price – CoPF

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Dr. Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament instructed the Auditor General’s Department to calculate the amount of wheat flour currently available in Sri Lanka’s warehouses and submit a forensic audit report regarding the issue pertaining to Wheat flour within 2 months. 

The Parliamentarian was of the view that if there is a price formula for wheat Flour as well, there will be no opportunity to decide the prices according to the wishes of individual parties.

This was discussed when the Committee on Public Finance met recently under the Chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament.

The Members of the Committee pointed out that Wheat Flour is being sold at different prices in shops all over Sri Lanka. However, according to the prices given by the Ministry of Finance, one kilo of Wheat Flour can be sold for 198 rupees. The Chair emphasized that two price calculations are being used in setting the price of Wheat Flour and this should be changed.

Although the price has increased due to the increase in the tax imposed on Wheat Flour, the Chair stated to the officials that the increased tax has increased the price of the Wheat Flour that was already in the warehouses of the country.

Price formula needed to regulate wheat price

Recalling the efforts made to prepare a price formula for gas and milk powder last season, the chairman pointed out the dire need of a price formula for regulating the price of wheat. The Committee emphasized that a price formula should be prepared immediately in order to work in a more diversified manner.

CoPF approves tax reductions on more goods under the Singapore -SL FTA

Furthermore, under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, the Committee on Public Finance approved the reduction of taxes on many other goods. It was approved when the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2338/54 was discussed on June 30th, 2023.

Under the said, it was proposed to reduce the tax rate which was 15% to 5%. Granting approval for the said, the Committee questioned the officials regarding the benefits of this trade agreement. However, the official responding to the said stated that it was not possible to conduct a feasibility study. Expressing his displeasure, the Chair instructed the chief officer in charge of the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement to submit a report to the Committee within 6 weeks, presenting logical facts about the agreement.

Resolutions under the Customs Ordinance published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/72 on 16th June 2023 was further reviewed for a second time. However, the Committee decided not to approve the proposal made under this Gazette. Here, the officials presented a proposal to change the HS code related to the import of raw materials required for soap production. The Committee questioned whether there will be an increase in tax rates on the import of the relevant raw materials. Accordingly, the Chair pointed out that it is questionable for one group of the government to request for the approval to reduce tax and another group to request to increase taxes. In the year 2021, it was revealed to the Committee that no new investment has been made during that period, even though the tax charges have been reduced in the import of raw materials required for soap production. Accordingly, the Chair instructed the concerned officials to conduct a discussion under the leadership of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to formulate a policy on tax revision and submit it to the committee.

Furthermore, 2 other gazettes submitted for the Committee’s approval regarding the tax revision under the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007 were approved.

Meanwhile, the Committee discussed the current status of the process related to the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority. Officials stated that they have discussed with several organizations in Singapore and Sri Lanka and have prepared a draft. However, before preparing a final Bill, the Chair instructed the officials to refer the draft to the Committee on Public Finance for approval. Accordingly, the Committee was instructed to provide a comparative report within two weeks pertaining to the existing system in Singapore and the model expected to be created in Sri Lanka regarding the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority.

Furthermore, the Committee instructed the Sri Lanka Board of Investment to submit a detailed report including the amount of investment and its benefits in the last period.

Moreover, during the discussion regarding other matters taken up at the Committee, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Member of Parliament questioned the Sri Lanka Board of Investment regarding the decision made to import palm trees from a foreign country and add value to them and re-export them to India. The Member of Parliament stated that there is a danger of this matter developing into a diplomatic concern. Accordingly, the Parliamentarian requested the Sri Lanka Investment Board to inform the other parties concerned to reconsider the decision.

State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Members of Parliament Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, Hon. Madhura Withanage were present at the Committee meeting held.

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Other airlines to operate SriLankan flights!

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Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has said that national carrier – SriLankan Airlines has incurred a loss of around USD 06 million due to delays of 08 flights in recent days.

This was revealed during a special discussion held between Aviation Minister – Nimal Siripala de Silva, the SriLankan Airlines management and representatives of trade unions.

The minister further stated that it is not possible to grant an allowance or a salary increase to employees at present.

The Minister also revealed that it has been decided to allow other airlines to operate the flights of the carrier by granting them rights under the ‘5th freedom of the air’, while safeguarding the rights of SriLankan Airlines.

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SriLankan struggles being unable to meet aviation engineers’ demands

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Internal sources at the SriLankan Airline said that it has become impossible to maintain the airline due to the inability of the management to fulfill the demands made by the aviation engineers.

Due to this situation, several flights of SriLankan Airlines were delayed in the last few days.

Meanwhile, a special discussion has been called today (02) to look into the matter.

This discussion is scheduled to be held today at 9.30 am under the chairmanship of Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

It was reported that the authorities would inquire about the delayed flights, which had added a blemish to the country’s national airline.

The management of SriLankan Airlines and all trade union representatives are scheduled to attend the discussion.

Several SriLankan flights were canceled in the past few days and delays continued in some flight schedules.

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