News

Govt. registers 14 new fields for mandatory tax payments

Published

11 months ago

July 9, 2024

editor

In a bid to increase the tax revenue, the government has registered 14 fields, which were previously overlooked, for mandatory tax payments, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced.

The private schools, private tutoring classes, large-scale private medical services, engineering services, legal services and survey services are among the newly registered fields subjected to the mandatory tax payments.

To ensure compliance, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is currently conducting stringent investigations into the incomes of the newly registered fields.

The measures are part of the government’s effort to ensure no field escapes taxation, according to Siyambalapitiya.

In a statement to the media, Siyambalapitiya highlighted that the ongoing investigations by the IRD have helped the government increase its revenue from 8.3 percent to over 11 percent, as a percentage of GDP, while helping to maintain a positive figure in the primary account.

Moreover, he highlighted the need to address the issues, where the businesses under-report their incomes and overstate their expenses to the IRD.

The government would also implement the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) project nationwide, he said.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.