News

Customs revenue drops by 12% due to import restrictions

Published

1 year ago

April 19, 2023

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The government has paid attention to remove import restrictions imposed on a number of goods including medicines and household appliances required by several industries,
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

He expressed these views after a discussion held at the Customs Headquarters yesterday (18). The revenue of Customs in the first quarter was also discussed during the meeting.

The state minister said that a thorough study is being conducted with the Economic Research Department of the Central Bank regarding the removal of restrictions on these goods.

He said that although a target of Rs.270 billion had been given to the Customs for the previous quarter, the revenue was 12 percent less than the expected amount mainly due to import restrictions.

In 2021, 485 goods including vehicles were restricted from importing while 750 items were restricted from importing in 2022. The state minister said the decline in the value of the US Dollar in March also led to the inability to reach the revenue targets.

The state minister said that they hope to introduce methods like digital technology to the Customs, and update the Customs codes in the future. “This will help successfully overcome upcoming challenges,” he said.

News

Easter Sunday bombings : Rs. 295 mn. paid as compensation

Published

6 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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The annual reports of the Office of Reparations have revealed that over Rs. 295 million (295,499,069) have been paid as compensation to victims and property damage of the Sunday Easter bombings.

Under this, Rs. 273,747,000 have been paid as compensation for 719 victims while Rs. 21,752,069 have been paid as compensation for property damages.

News

350 medical specialists have left SL

Published

6 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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A study conducted by a group of specialist doctors at the Ministry of Health has revealed that 350 specialists have left the country during recent times.

Many of them have left for countries such as UK and Australia. According to a spokesperson of the ministry, economic hardships have been cited as one of the main reasons for them to do so.
Doctors suggest that the government should provide an immediate solution to this issue.

Commenting on the issue, Secretary of the Health Ministry – Dr. Palitha Mahipala says that there is still a shortage of anesthetists and pediatricians after most of them had left the country.

However, some who have gone for training, are returning after their training is complete, he adds.

Meanwhile, sources in the Health sector also say that over 200 nurses too have gone overseas, but new recruits have enabled to prevent hospital operations from continuing without hindrance.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Details of SL recruits in Russian military, sought

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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Sri Lanka has sought a report from Russian authorities on details of Sri Lankan military recruits and how many of them have died during the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the ‘Aruna’ newspaper reports.

According to a directive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia has forwarded this request to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Previously, the Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling and Maritime Crime Investigation Division (CID) arrested a retired major and an employment agent, identified as leaders of an organized scheme that recruited retired military personnel as mercenaries for the Russian army.

The Defence Ministry in Sri Lanka has urged the Tri Force commanders to brief Tri Force personnel not to fall for such rackets.

(Source : Aruna)