News

Cheaper embarkation levy at Ratmalana & Jaffna Airports!

Published

1 year 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

Police bust motorcycle assembly racket

Published

1 hour ago

April 26, 2024

editor

A group of officers from the Panadura Anti-Corruption Unit have succeeded in gathering information about a racket of assembling and selling motorcycles with imported motorcycle parts.

Police said 41 such motorcycles were seized while checking three motorcycle showrooms in Maspotha and Wariyapola in Kurunegala.

Police said 48CC and Mowad motorcycles were assembled in this manner and it’s valued at close to Rs.20 million.

During interrogation it was revealed that the racket was carried out by a businessman who imports motorcycle parts in Kurunegala.

Investigations revealed that the government lost a massive amount of tax revenue due to the racket.

The buyers said they are unable to register the motorcycles bought from the showrooms and extensive investigations are underway regarding the racket.

(News1st)

(This story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

5 including Ulapane Sumangala Thero, bailed

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Convenor of the Teacher – Principal Trade Union Alliance – Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero and 04 others have been granted bail under strict conditions by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today (April 26).

They were remanded for attempted disturbance against implementing a Court order.

News

Expedite Xpress Pearl investigation – court

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate – Keminda Perera yesterday (April 25) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to complete the investigation regarding the Xpress Pearl incident and report the facts to the court immediately.

The magistrate also ordered that the audio tapes containing conversations between the stricken vessel and its local agent, to be submitted before the court.

However, the State Counsel who appeared on behalf of the CID when the case was taken up on Thursday (25), has sought a period of one month, in order to present facts in relation to the investigations.

The lawyers representing the captain of the destroyed ‘X-Press Pearl’ ship and the directors of the relevant local agent, who have been named as respondents of the case, noted that a trial with regard to the maritime calamity is already underway before the Colombo High Court.

They have also raised questions concerning the need for conducting further investigations into the same incident against this backdrop.

(Source : Aruna)