News

Cheaper embarkation levy at Ratmalana & Jaffna Airports!

Published

11 months ago

January 23, 2023

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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

Power supply restored in 80% of affected areas – CEB

Published

5 hours ago

December 9, 2023

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The power supply in 80% of the affected areas has been restored, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported.

Efforts to restore power in all remaining areas are also currently underway, CEB Media Spokesman Engineer Noel Priyantha said.

Earlier this evening (09 Dec.), major power outages were reported across the island due to a breakdown in the transmission line from Kotmale to Biyagama.

News

6 dead, 10 injured as fire breaks out at candle factory

Published

16 hours ago

December 9, 2023

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At least six people died and 10 sustained injuries after a fire broke out at a sparkling candle manufacturing unit in the Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune district on Friday, an official said.

The fire brigade received a call about the blaze at the factory located at Talawade around 2.45 pm, said Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh. The factory manufactured sparkling candles which are generally used for birthday celebrations, he said.

“The fire has been doused. The cause is yet to be ascertained,” Singh added.

The owner of a nearby unit alerted the fire brigade to the incident, after which a team rushed to the site, doused the blaze and sent the injured to the hospital, an official from the Pimpri Chinchwad civic body’s disaster management cell said.

The six bodies have been charred beyond recognition, while the injuries sustained by 10 persons, comprising nine women and a male who is the owner of the ill-fated unit, are serious, he said.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar expressed grief at the incident and assured a inquiry.

Source – Times of India

News

Youth abducted in Matara and shot

Published

17 hours ago

December 9, 2023

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A youth, abducted from Matara by a group claiming to be police officers was shot and left behind with injuries in Habaraduwa last night (8), Police said.

The persons had arrived in a car and taken him claiming he was wanted for an investigation.

He had been shot on the leg and injured.

He is currently receiving treatment at hospital.