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Cabinet amendments pushed back, RW opposes to 4 SLPPers

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to make several changes to the Cabinet after tabling the Budget to parliament, reports say.

According to political sources, several MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya as well as from Tamil and Muslim political parties are to be given ministerial or state ministerial portfolios.

Media also reports that around 10 SJB MPs are to cross over to the government.

Meanwhile, it is also said that the subject matter of ministers are also to be changed.

RW says no to 4 SLPP MPs?

According to reports, a special discussion had taken place between the President, the PM and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on the impending cabinet changes.

It is reported that the President has expressed his unwillingness to give minister posts to Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Namal Rajapaksa representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a media house owner has initiated a mission to appoint his close friend Mr. Ali Sabry, the current foreign minister, to the position of finance minister.

It is reported that he started this operation citing the inability of the President to hold the position of Finance Minister after the 21st Amendment.

It is said that another reason for this is the report prepared by the Inland Revenue Department regarding the controversial sugar tax reduction incident, which is to be received by the Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya next week.

The State Minister had said that after receiving the report, it will be tabled in Parliament.

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Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

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Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

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SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

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India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

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The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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

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