News

Excise license fee revision on hold until President’s return

Published

4 months ago

January 15, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stated that a final decision on the revision of annual excise license fees will be made after further discussions, following objections from liquor distillers and associations.

He also mentioned that a conclusive decision will be taken following President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s return from Switzerland.

The government had previously decided to revise the Annual Excise License fees effective from January 12 this year and an Excise Ordinance was issued by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

Several license fees, including Distillery License, Toddy bottling, vinegar manufacturing, and annual Wholesale License for liquor, have been subject to adjustments, while the annual license fee for night clubs has been reduced.

The Distillery License fee, excluding Palmyrah arrack, was increased from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 25 million, and the License fee for Palmyrah arrack increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 5 million.

Additionally, the License fee for bottling Toddy saw an increase from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 10 million, while the license fee for manufacturing vinegar went up from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 2.5 million.

The annual Wholesale License for liquor was hiked from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 5 million. However, the annual license fee for night clubs was decreased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 250,000.

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

10 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)