Connect with us

News

Announce selling price of wheat flour kilo as Rs.198 – CoPF

Published

on

The Committee of Public Finance (CoPF) instructed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to announce that the selling price of a kilogram of wheat flour as Rs.198 so to avoid two major companies making additional profit and to protect the consumer.

This was discussed when the committee met on 15.08.2023 Chaired by Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was appointed as the protem Chair in the absence of the Committee Chair Dr. Harsha de Silva.

Attention was drawn to the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/45 of 14.06.2023 which is to be approved by the Parliament.

The Committee Chair said that the officials of the Ministry of Finance said that the gazette published on 14.06.2023 was issued with the aim of preventing the various companies importing wheat into Sri Lanka by overstocking to make additional profit. Therefore, instructions were given to provide accurate data on existing and current stocks of bread flour to confirm how far the desired objectives have been achieved through the gazette published on 14.06.2023. Thus, the Chair of the Committee pointed out that there will be space to find out if any irregularity has occurred.

Report on Cement
Attention was also drawn to the Order under the Export Development Act Act No. 40 of 1979 published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/71. The order to increase the cess levied on the import of cement raw materials by 2 rupees per kilogram was discussed here. The Chair of the committee pointed out that the construction sector can be greatly affected by increasing the cess levy on cement raw materials. Furthermore, the Committee pointed out that there is a profit of nearly 700 rupees between the price of cement landed at the port and the selling price after deducting all taxes.

The Committee Chair ordered the officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction to give a report on the matter as it appears that there is a huge gap between the selling price of cement and iron and all related taxes are deducted.

No proper evaluation of social impact due to tax increases
Furthermore, it was revealed that the work of many houses, including low-income houses and middle-class houses, has stopped due to the housing projects started by the Urban Development Authority, and it was informed to provide a report on the impact on the construction industry.

The officials also pointed out that the construction of a house which was built at a cost of 12 lakhs earlier will cost at least 24 lakhs. The Committee also emphasized that the lack of proper evaluation of the social impact caused by the increases made by the Ministry of Finance for the purpose of increasing the Government’s income is a big concern. Furthermore, the Committee pointed out that the relevant departments should intervene for the regulation of cement prices.

The Order under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No.11 of 2021 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2343/60 and the Order under the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2339/08 were also considered. The officials of the Port City Economic Commission and the Board of Investments explained the issues including the non-adherence of concessional measures to attract investments.

Thus, subject to the above-mentioned recommendations, these four gazettes were approved by the Committee on Public Finance.

News

Draft resolution on SL, adopted without vote

Published

on

By

The draft resolution A/HRC/57/L.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka has been adopted without a vote during the ongoing 57th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

The draft resolution is sponsored by countries including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United States of America.

Continue Reading

News

President meets officials from Customs & IRD

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a key meeting today (Oct. 09) with senior officials from both the Sri Lanka Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (09). The discussions centered on strategies to enhance revenue generation and improve operational efficiency within both departments, in line with the government’s broader economic mandate.

During the meeting, officials from both departments presented the challenges they face in managing revenue and tackling tax evasion. They stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Customs to effectively combat these issues. It was highlighted that better collaboration would ensure more robust enforcement of tax laws and prevent tax leakage, further boosting the country’s revenue collection.

Representing the Sri Lanka Customs Department were Mr. PBSC Nonis, Director General of Customs; Mrs. HW SP Karunaratne, Additional Director General of Customs; Mr. CSA Chandrasekara, Additional Director General of Customs; Mr. WSI Silva, Additional Director General of Customs; Mr. SP Arukgoda, Additional Director General of Customs; Mr. J M M G Wijeratna Bandara, Additional Director General of Customs; Mr. A. W. L. C. Weerakoon, Senior Deputy Director and Mr. MRGAB Muthukuda, Chief Financial Officer, among other officials.

From the Inland Revenue Department, Mrs. WS Chandrasekara, Commissioner General; Mr. BKS Shanta, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. JADDB K Siriwardena, Deputy Commissioner General; Mrs. JD Ranasinghe, Deputy Commissioner General; Mr. DMNSB Dissanayake, Deputy Commissioner General; Mr. HHS Samantha Kumara; and Ms. TMS Thennakone, Senior Commissioner, participated in the discussions.

(President’s Media Division)

Continue Reading

BIZ

Trishaw fares revised

Published

on

By

Three-wheeler fares have been revised as of today (Oct. 09).

According to Mr. Jeewinda Keerthiratne, who heads the three wheel bureau of the Road Passenger Transport Authority, the first kilometer remains at Rs. 100 while the second kilometer will be Rs. 85.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved