News

No Cabinet paper to scrap CESS from educational equipment despite Susil saying so

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2022

editor

A cabinet paper on the removal of CESS tax from educational equipment was not presented to the Cabinet this week, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing held this morning (29), the minister said, “As far as I know, no such Cabinet paper was presented to the Cabinet.”

The minister further said that if the Education Minister proposes to the Cabinet to provide concessions in this regard after having discussions with relevant parties, it can be considered.

However, during a discussion held in Parliament last week on this matter, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that a Cabinet paper on the removal of CESS tax from educational equipment will be presented to the Cabinet yesterday (28).

Finance State Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya, who spoke in Parliament on the 18th, also said the recently revised CESS rates will be reconsidered if it has an impact on school stationery and equipment.

News

G.L. hints at Impeachment against President

Published

3 hours ago

December 11, 2023

editor

MP of the Freedom People’s Congress – Prof. G.L. Peiris has warned of a possible impeachment motion against President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking at a media briefing today (Dec. 11) Prof. Peiris has said that an impeachment can be brought forth on the grounds of the constitution being violated by the President’s arbitrary interference in the affairs of the Constitutional Council.He also emphasized that the opposition will stand united against the President’s dictatorial rule.

Pointing out that 2024 is a year of elections with the Presidential election and General Election already announced, Prof. Peiris emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the Constitutional Council is allowed to function independently during elections.

He also said that there is a reasonable doubt that the vacancy at the Election Commission is not being filled with the objective of scrapping future elections.The MP also said that there is a possibility of Sri Lanka losing the GSP+ concession due to the violation of international conventions.

He further noted that the international community has already given Sri Lanka a red light due to the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and has notified that democracy should be secured during the election period.