News

Pact with Singapore firm handling RAMIS, extended

Published

4 months ago

January 3, 2024

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to extend the agreement with the Singaporean company handling the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), says Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis – MP Gamini Waleboda.

Accordingly, the pact, which was in place for the last 10 years and was set to expire on Jan. 31, 2024, is to be extended for a period of 03 years.

MP Waleboda had told the media that they were compelled to extend the pact as no alternative choice existed.

Although Rs. 16,000 million have been paid for the RAMIS so far, the IRD has not been able to get complete control of the system. That is said to be because the relevant agreement includes a non-disclosure clause to third parties.

However, past media reports had revealed of how hidden mediators who had paved the way for this agreement, had earned high commissions.

It was also previously reported that the Department of Inland Revenue had failed to collect a tax revenue arrears, fines and interest income amounting to Rs. 201,400 million from state institutions.

Not collecting arrears tax revenue under both RAMIS and Legacy systems was also discussed at the COPA last year.

According to a Parliament statement last year, it had also been disclosed that the internal capacity including the human resources required for the IRD to take over the RAMIS system has not been developed.

In this backdrop, during a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee in July last year, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka had recommended that the IRD submit a report in this regard.

He has also stated that the report should include a structured proposal for updating the system to adopt the RAMIS system.

Meanwhile, the non-inclusion of large companies such as the Dedigama Group in Maharagama to the RAMIS, had also sparked controversy.

How was Dedigama Group excluded from RAMIS?

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

12 hours ago

May 4, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of the ADB annual meeting in Georgia.

Minister Semasinghe said on X ”at this discussion China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, he said that China reaffirmed steadfast support to Sri Lanka on all fronts.(news first.lk)

News

Sri Lanka slips down Press Freedom Index

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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