News

‘Glorious Church’ in tax controversy

Published

11 months ago

May 21, 2023

editor

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) this week was scrambling to ascertain whether the ‘Glorious Church’ and its pastor Jerome Fernando, now in the centre of a controversy, were paying taxes to the Government as records, including personal NIC numbers or other details were not available, its officials said.

An official at the Glorious Church, when asked whether the church pays any taxes, promised to get back, but there was no response.

IRD officials pointed out that Mr. Fernando’s Glorious Church management had not been given any tax exemption and that as an individual he had to declare his assets and wealth if there were any, under the Inland Revenue Act.

By tradition, Buddhist temple property was exempt from taxation or any form of revenue collection by the IRD if they were registered by the Govt. as a religious site.

Most of the other places connected to religious work have to pay taxes even if they are registered because exemption from taxes came under a certain ordinance and these institutions were not included in it, IRD officials confirmed.

Catholic Church officials were not available for comment. Officials of other Christian denominations said that while donations were exempt from taxes, income derived by the church was subject to taxes.

(sundaytimes.lk)

News

Injunction against Wijedasa and Sarathie

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

The Colombo District Court today (April 24) issued an injunction order preventing the appointment of Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP.

Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued these orders after considering a complaint filed against the respective appointments.

News

Fox Hill crash : Arrested drivers bailed

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

The two drivers of the race cars involved in the fatal crash during the ‘Fox Hill Super Cross 2024’ motorsport racing championship at Diyatalawa, have been granted bail by the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court.

The two drivers were arrested while undergoing treatment in hospital on April 22 and were subsequently ordered to be held in remand custody by the Bandarawela Magistrate on the same day.

News

Damitha Abeyratne & husband granted bail

Published

7 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband were granted bail on the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (April 24).

Accordingly, the couple was released on a surety of Rs. 5 million each.

The actress and her spouse were arrested on April 04.

The Computer Crimes Division of the CID initiated an investigation into the alleged defrauding of Rs. 3 million by the couple on the promise of employment in South Korea. Subsequently, the CID informed the court that Abeyratne and her husband would be named as suspects of the relevant case.