News

Recover stolen funds before taxing middle class – CBK

Published

1 year ago

December 15, 2023

editor

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) has called on the government to prioritize recovering stolen wealth from the Rajapaksa family before resorting to tax increases, particularly for the middle class.

In a recent statement, CBK acknowledged the need for government revenue but argued against burdening the middle class with additional taxes.

She pointed to Sri Lanka’s low tax rate compared to other countries and suggested focusing on recouping lost funds instead of increasing taxes.

“People who earn money don’t want to give because of the habit of giving everything here,” she said, highlighting the cultural context of tax compliance. “But I am against charging these taxes to the middle class.”

CBK offered a specific solution: investigating and recovering money allegedly stolen by the Rajapaksa family and stashed abroad.

“The World Bank has ways to get them,” she stated. “If the looted money is recovered, the people would not have to pay taxes like this.”

(News 1st)

News

Ex-chairman of Lindula-Talawakelle UC, remanded

Published

2 hours ago

June 2, 2025

editor

Former chairman of the Lindula-Talawakelle Urban Council – Asoka Sepala has been arrested today (June 02).

The Colombo Chief Magistrate has ordered to remand the suspect until June 11.

The former chairman has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for causing a loss of Rs. 2.38 million to the government, during the issuance of a tender to lease stall belonging to the Urban Council.

It is said that instead of awarding the tender to the highest bidder, it was given to a lower bidder, resulting in the aforementioned loss.

News

Halloluwa further remanded

Published

2 hours ago

June 2, 2025

editor

Former Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB) – Thusitha Halloluwa, has been further remanded until June 04, by the Fort Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Halloluwa remains in custody over alleged misappropriation of government assets belonging to the NLB.

He was previously arrested and released on bail on May 02 over the alleged misuse of a computer and a mobile phone valued at over Rs. 470,000 during his tenure as the Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board.

News

Electricity (Amendment) Bill challenged

Published

2 hours ago

June 2, 2025

editor

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court today (June 02) ordered that the petition filed by the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union requesting a ruling that certain provisions of the Electricity Bill are unconstitutional be taken up for hearing on June 06.

The order was issued when the petition was taken up before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Arjuna Obeyesekere and Priyantha Fernando.