News

Importers secure higher gains from VAT increase

Published

4 months ago

January 1, 2024

editor

In the backdrop of the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) increase that comes into effect from today (Jan. 01), it is revealed that a large number of containers laden with goods by importers which is sufficient for 3 – 4 months, are at the Colombo port.

Due to an increase in imports, the congestion in clearance of goods had been extreme in the last days of December.

Speaking, Senior Director of Customs and Customs Spokesperson – Mr. Sivali Arukgoda said that there has been an unusual increase in importation of goods in the last few days.

He added that although the Customs usually receives between 1000 – 1200 containers per day for clearance, documents to clear 1774 and over 1600 containers were received on Dec. 28 and Dec. 29 respectively.

Customs says that this is about a 50% increase than the average daily volume of containers handled for clearance.

According to the Customs, all goods slapped by the 18% VAT has been imported in this manner.

The Customs has observed that goods such as food, clothing, floor tiles, bathroom fittings, building materials, electric equipment, computers, mobile phones and accessories and toys have been imported in this way.

As of last Saturday (Dec. 30), all that was left to be cleared were 320 containers left at the Colombo Port and 370 containers at the 03 inspection yards located outside the port.

All these too, were also cleared by last night (Dec. 31), the Customs add.

The Customs media spokesperson states that Customs officials had worked day and night to clear these containers.

The 18% VAT came into effect from midnight yesterday (Dec. 31) and it is said that many who had cleared all their goods ahead of the VAT implementation, will now sell them in the local market at a higher price and reap more profits.

(Source – Aruna)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Reporters Without Borders released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index on Friday (03).

According to RFS, Sri Lanka has slipped to the 150th position in the index, from 135th position last year.

Click here to read the RSF Sri Lanka Fact File

News

Companies should be ashamed of not giving workers a raise – Vadivel Suresh

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Mr. Vadivel Suresh, General Secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, emphasized that both the Government and the Plantation Employers’ Association bear the responsibility of providing wage increases to plantation workers. These workers, who play a pivotal role in sustaining the esteemed reputation of ‘Ceylon Tea’, contribute significantly to the national economy of Sri Lanka.

MP Vadivel Suresh, made this statement during his participation in today’s (03) news conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), under the theme ‘Collective path to a Stable Country’.

The Member of Parliament noted that plantation companies, benefiting significantly from the fluctuating dollar value, ought to feel ashamed for not providing their workers with a salary raise. He emphasized that the salary increase outlined in the gazette notice issued by the Labour Commissioner General for plantation workers should be implemented.

MP Vadivel Suresh further commented:

“We express gratitude to the President and the government for raising the salary of plantation workers to LKR. 1700. However, the Plantation Employers’ Association is contesting this decision.

The estate companies that profited greatly from the dollar’s value should be ashamed of themselves for not giving their workers a raise. Expressing opposition to the decision to increase wages for their workers, who contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy by upholding the reputation of Ceylon Tea, is regrettable. The decision to raise estate workers’ wages was not made hastily; rather, it followed extensive negotiations over the course of a year involving the Department of Labour, trade unions, and relevant stakeholders.

Employers’ unions persistently refrained from engaging in wage-fixing negotiations. Similarly, they remained silent when a salary increase of LKR 1000 was requested. However, the Labour Commissioner General, utilizing his authority, lawfully issued a gazette notice for a salary hike of LKR 1700. It is unjust for estate companies to procrastinate without providing relief to the workforce amidst fluctuations in the dollar’s value.

Both the government and the plantation Employers’ Association bear responsibility in this matter. Consequently, companies cannot contravene government decisions. Estate companies claim they are in dialogue with the high-level committee for the ultimate verdict. However, all 22 estate companies are owned by five individuals. These owners are involved not only in tea plantations but also in sectors such as tourism, small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and gems. Additionally, plantation workers and trade unions must unite in support of this wage increase.

(President’s Media Division)

Gazette issued to up estate workers’ daily wage

Unable to increase daily wage – Plantation owners

News

CID records another statement from Maithri

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department today (May 03) to record another statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The CID had previously obtained a five-hour-long statement from the former President on March 25 over a statement he had made a few days earlier.