News

Govt in discussion with IMF to revise PAYE tax : RW

Published

9 months ago

August 28, 2024

editor

The Government is in the process of initiating a discussion with IMF to revise Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

” Government has already submitted a proposal to revise PAYE tax to IMF. The IMF has also come up with a different proposal. We will go in for a dialogue with IMF in this regard and come into an agreement on the revisal. We will inform the people as to how PAYE tax will be reduced, ” Wickremesinghe told a rally in Eheliyagoda.

” We will ease the high cost of living through our economic programme. This will be published at the manifesto launch which will be held today, ” he added.

” Both National Peoples Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate have pledged to reduce taxes. They have failed to state as to how they are going to increase state revenue, ” he said.

BIZ

1st stock of imported coconut milk to undergo clearance, lab testing today

Published

20 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.

This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.

(dailynews.lk)

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

News

Ministry denies Sevanagala sugar factory closure rumours

Published

30 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that reports circulating on social media about the possible closure of the Sevanagala Sugar Factory are false.

The ministry adds that neither the government nor Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd. (LSCPL) has discussed such a move.

The ministry further states that the Sevanagala Sugar Factory, which operated at a loss under the previous government, is now continuing operations under a new marketing plan and has begun implementing measures to transform it into a profitable institution.

News

Youth killed in sword attack

Published

34 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

editor

03 individuals were attacked with a sword near the railway line at Nedurana Junction in Eheliyagoda last night (May 30).

A 22-year-old resident of Gatahetta, Iddamalgoda, died after being admitted to the Eheliyagoda Hospital with serious injuries, while the other 02 victims have been transferred to the Ratnapura Hospital for further treatment.

Eheliyagoda Police are conducting further investigations to apprehend the suspects.