News

Customs in favour of lifting the ban on vehicle imports

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2023

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Sri Lanka Customs has claimed that restrictions imposed on the import of goods including the suspension of vehicle imports are an impediment for it to achieve the revenue targets set out in the annual budget.

Sri Lanka Customs officials made this claim while appearing before the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans.

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans met under the chairmanship of Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage to discuss the contribution of Sri Lanka Customs in order to increase the revenue of the government.

The Chairman of the Committee, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said that a sum of Rs. 1,226 billion is expected as income of Sri Lanka Customs in this year’s budget and only Rs. 330 billion have been received during the first five months.

He had pointed out that Customs will face difficulties in achieving the target when considering the figures for the first five months.

The Department of Communications of Parliament said during the meeting Customs official had said the expected income cannot be reached until the import restrictions including the ban on the import of vehicles are in place.

Under the said situation, they predict that the income that can be obtained this year is Rs. 783 billion.

Officials had pointed out that the Ministry of Finance has also been informed about this.

Moreover, they had statistically pointed out that about 20 per cent of the revenue received by Customs is from the taxes imposed on the import of vehicles and until the restrictions on the import of vehicles are in place, this expected revenue cannot be reached.

Furthermore, officials had claimed that the highest tax revenue from 2014 to 2022 was collected in the year 2018 and it was Rs. 923 billion.

They had indicated that 2018 tax revenue includes a sum of Rs. 194 billion generated through taxes imposed on the import of vehicles.

According to Customs officials, if the ban on vehicle imports is lifted this month, within the next six months, they will be able to collect Rs. 150 billion in taxes.

Officials have also pointed out the possibility of importing vehicles under a credit line system with another country and that it is the best way to increase the customs revenue.

The Chair of the Committee had said that since discussions have already started on this matter, the government is working to take an urgent decision regarding the import of vehicles.

News

Excise officials kidnap beedi businessman & forcefully take Rs.1mn

Published

35 mins ago

September 22, 2023

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The Walasmulla Police have launched an investigation into an incident where a Beedi businessman was kidnapped and assaulted before forcefully taking Rs.1 million from him.

The business license of the businessman residing in Maraketiya, Rajapuragoda in Walasmulla expired on June 26. A team of excise officials including the OIC of the Tangalle Excise Unit had arrived at his house on September 18 and seized the Beedi leaves.

Excise officials had demanded Rs.1.4 million from the businessman not to take legal action in this regard.

They had taken the businessman away in a three-wheeler, beaten him up, and then had taken an amount of Rs.1 million by force.

News

Test kits ordered to detect ‘Nipah’ virus

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2023

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Steps have been taken to import special test kits needed for the detection of ‘Nipah’ virus, the Health Ministry said.

Special test kits recommended by the World Health Organization have been ordered to detect the virus and they are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in a few days.

Commenting further, Virologist Dr. Janaki Abeynayake said that no specific treatment or vaccine has been developed globally for patients infected with Nipah virus.

However, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said that there is no high risk of the virus spreading among countries since the virus spreading pace is slower.

The Ministry requested the public not panic over the virus that has been reported in several countries including India.

News

Keheliya & ministry officials undertake 50 foreign tours

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2023

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Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the officials of his Ministry had undertaken 50 foreign tours in one year, a report prepared by the International Health Division of the Ministry revealed.

These reports have been compiled by Deputy Director General (Planning) of the Health Ministry Dr. S. Sri Dharan.

It was prepared following a Right to Information (RTI) request made by an organisation called ‘Citizens Power Against Bribery and Corruption.’

Accordingly, Health Minister Rambukwella has made five foreign trips, Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta has made two foreign trips and Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena has made four foreign trips.

These foreign trips have taken place as per the invitations made by representative organizations including the World Health Organization, and those organizations have provided expenses for air tickets, food and accommodation facilities.

Furthermore, the International Health Division of the Ministry of Health has approved foreign duty leave for these doctors and has also given them a casual allowance.

Interestingly, the deputy director general who prepared the report has engaged in the highest number of foreign trips.

Source – Aruna