News

Consideration of Betting & Gaming Taxes Bill postponed

Published

3 months ago

June 9, 2023

editor

The first meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) for the fourth session of ninth Parliament was held recently (07) under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Harsha de Silva.

The Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill was discussed at the meeting and the consideration of the bill was postponed for a week until a timeline for establishing a regulatory authority for casinos is worked out.

The chairman of the committee pointed out that the establishment of a regulatory authority regarding the casino business was previously discussed.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance has prepared a timeframe for this regulatory authority to get Cabinet approval by January 31, 2023.

However, since it has not been done, the committee mentioned that a new timeframe is needed and a period of one week will be given to prepare it for the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, it was decided to meet the COPF in a week to consider the Bill.

Also, the COPF approved the regulation under Appropriation Act No. 30 of 2021.

MPs Rauff Hakeem, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Duminda Dissanayake, Chandima Weerakkodi, Nimal Lanza, Sumith Udukumbura, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda, Kokila Gunawardena, Isuru Dodangoda, Sahan Pradeep Withana, Madhura Withanage and Prof. Ranjith Bandara participated in the meeting.

News

12-hr water cut for several Colombo areas on Saturday

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says that several areas in Colombo will face a suspension of water supply this weekend.

The areas of Colombo 11 – 14 will face a water cut from 6.00pm on Sep. 24 (Saturday) – 6.00 am on Sep. 25 (Sunday) due to essential maintenance work.

News

Tills at Nawagamuwa, sealed

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Department of Buddhist Affairs has sealed all tills at the Navagamuwa Sri Sugathabimbarama Purana Viharaya and the historic Paththini Devalaya following complaints filed regarding misappropriation of funds.

The Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs has confirmed that it was sealed as per the instructions of the Auditor General.

The Department of Buddhist Affairs the Auditor General has been receiving complaints that donations, including gold given by devotees as offerings have been unlisted for some time now and have been fraudulently sold instead.

News

Court issues injunction over Maithripala’s letter to Dayasiri

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Colombo District Court has issued an interim injunction preventing the implementation of a letter issued by the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), former President Maithripala Sirisena to Dayasiri Jayasekara, who was recently ousted as the party’s General Secretary.

The injunction order was issued by Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana this morning (21), after considering a complaint filed by Dayasiri Jayasekara.

There, the attorneys who appeared on behalf of the former SLFP general secretary told the court that the party’s chairman Maithripala Sirisena had directed a letter on Monday (Sept. 18), which mentioned that a disciplinary inquiry would be conducted against Jayasekara and asking him for excuses.

However, Jayasekara mentioned that, pursuant to the SLFP’s constitution, the party chairman has no authority to issue such letter asking for excuses.

The Colombo District Judge, who considered all submissions presented, issued this injunction to be in effect until October 05, 2023.

(adaderana.lk)