News

Cheaper embarkation levy at Ratmalana & Jaffna Airports!

Published

4 months ago

January 23, 2023

editor

The embarkation levy charged from persons leaving Sri Lanka via Ratmalana and Jaffna Airports has been reduced by 50%, Finance Ministry’s Tax Advisor Thanuja Perera said.

Accordingly, she said the embarkation levy which was US$ 60 has been reduced to US$ 30.

The revised embarkation levy levied on a person leaving via Ratmalana Airport will be valid until March 26th and the revised levy levied on a person leaving via Jaffna Airport will be valid until July 11th.

“This embarkation levy is not a new tax. It has been implemented since 2003 through the Finance Act. As of 2019, a levy of $60 was charged from a person leaving the country from an airport or seaport. Considering the impact of the 2019 Easter attack on the tourism industry, the levy was reduced from $60 to $50 for six months. It was increased back to $60 from February 1,2020. President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance has issued a gazette revising the embarkation levy only for Ratmalana and Jaffna Airports,” Ms.Perera said.

International airlines that commence operations at Mattala Rajapaksa Airport have been exempted from this levy for a period of two years from the date of commencement of operations.

According to the Gazette issued by the President, anyone departing from an airport or seaport other than Mattala, Ratmalana or Jaffna International Airports must pay an embarkation levy of $60.

News

SLT, Colombo Lotus Tower placed under Finance Ministry

Published

37 mins ago

May 31, 2023

editor

A gazette extraordinary has been issued placing Sri Lanka Telecom, Colombo Lotus Tower, Sri Lanka Cement Corporation, State Engineering Corporation and several other state institutions under the purview of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.
According to the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the North Sea Limited, Sri Lanka Thriposha Co. Ltd., Galoya Plantation (Pvt.) Company, National Salt Limited, Paranthan Chemicals Ltd BCC (Pvt.) Limited, Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele Cinema Park and the Lanka General Trading Company Limited will also be placed under the purview of the Finance Minister.

The gazette extraordinary has been issued by the Head of State by exercising the powers vested in him under paragraph (1) of Article 44 of the Constitution, with effect from the 30th of May.

Click here to read the complete gazette

BIZ

Fuel prices revised at midnight

Published

39 mins ago

May 31, 2023

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The CPC has reduced the prices of fuel with effect from midnight today (31).

The price of Petrol 92 Octane has been reduced by Rs.15 per litre to Rs.318 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been increased by Rs.20 to Rs.385 per litre.

In addition, the price of a Super Diesel litre has increased by Rs.10 to Rs.340 while a litre of Kerosene reduced by Rs.50 to Rs.245.

News

Over 3,000 child abuse incidents in Jan. – April 2023

Published

2 hours ago

May 31, 2023

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There have been 3,102 reported child abuse related incidents in the first four months of this year, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) revealed.

These statistics were presented during a workshop at the NCPA on 24 May, with the aim of raising awareness among the media about child protection issues.

Sajeewani Abeykoon, Director of Law Enforcement at the NCPA, revealed that on average they receive over 600 complaints per month.

The highest number of reported cases this year occurred in March, with a total of 1,026 cases. The figures for the first four months of this year are as follows: January – 779 cases, February – 703 cases, March – 1,026 cases and April – 594 cases.

Furthermore, the statistics from 2022 indicate a total of 10,497 reported cases.

Abeykoon said, “There was a slight decrease in reported cases during the month of July last year, possibly due to the Aragalaya protest, as the fuel and economic crises may have had a positive impact for the first time. In the previous year, there were a total of 185 serious sexual harassment cases reported, along with 729 minor sexual harassment cases, 167 rape cases, and 132 reported cases of child smuggling.”

(Excerpts : Ceylon Today)