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Rs. 904 bn. arrears amount due to IRD – COPA

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

editor

It was revealed at during a meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the total arrears of taxes, penalties and interest due to the Inland Revenue Department by December 31, 2022 in relation to RAMIS and Legacy systems is Rs. 904,342,180,778 (904 billion).

It was disclosed that an amount of Rs. 163,425,093,401 (163 billion) has been identified as income that can be collected without any legal concern and that Rs. 740,917,087,377 (740 billion) has been identified as income that has been temporarily suspended due to certain reasons.

The Auditor General also pointed out that this amount has been identified as the total arrears of tax to be collected under both RAMIS and Legacy systems and there was a discussion at length about not collecting the revenue due that could be collected off this tax arrears.

The Chair of this Committee, State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna, recommended that a report be given to COPA with dates containing information on how to collect the tax arrears identified as chargeable income which can be collected least in installments. The Chair also recommended that a separate report should be given on the total outstanding tax amount of 904 billion rupees and the report should state in detail how taxes have been evaded and the reasons for such.

This was disclosed when the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) met recently (12) under the Chairmanship of State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna for the reviewing of the current performance and progress of the Inland Revenue Department which was summoned before COPA on the 28th of November 2022.

It was also discussed that the RAMIS computer system was not at a proper level of operation and that there were no trained personnel to operate the system once it was set up. Therefore, the need to prepare a suitable program for that was mentioned here.

Furthermore, the existence of return cheques worth 2,488,003,615 rupees (2.4 billion) as at 30 June 2022 according to COPA discussion held on 28.11.2022 was also discussed. The officials who were present pointed out that 90% of tax payments are made through the Bank of Ceylon and even though the tax payments are approved on the day they are paid, they are shown as return cheques the next day. Accordingly, the Chair of the Committee contacted the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon via phone during the Committee and gave relevant instructions.

A discussion was also held regarding taxation on the gross collection for the casino business.

State Minister – Diana Gamage, Members of Parliament – Niroshan Perera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Sivagnanam Sritharan, Hector Appuhamy, Isuru Dodangoda and (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya were present at the Committee meeting held.

News

Fmr. minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa arrested

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the Police Media Spokesperson, he has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 6.1 million in flood relief aid in 2014.

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A country can’t progress through laws & regulations alone – President

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that a country cannot progress solely through laws and regulations and highlighted that tradition is a vital component of a nation.

President Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka has accomplished a remarkable mission through the traditions built on Buddhism and that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard these Buddhist traditions and pass them down securely to future generations.

The President expressed these views during a discussion held today (22) at the Presidential Secretariat on the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ ceremony of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya.

The President, recalling the historical significance of the Upasampada Vinaya Karma, a major ceremony in Buddhism, stated that the cessation of ordained monks (Upasampada Bhikkhus) would mean the dissolution of the Buddhist institution itself. He emphasized the importance of preserving these ancient traditions and carrying them forward with honour.

The national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, organized biennially by the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya, is scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at the Punyawardhanarama Viharaya in Vijithapura, Palugaswewa, within the Udakukkhepa Sima Malakaya.
This grand ceremony, which will ordain over 250 novice monks (Samanera), will be conducted under state sponsorship.

As the government considers the national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, which is held every two years, a dignified task, the President instructed officials to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided without any shortcomings.

The discussion was attended by prominent figures, including the Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero, the highest prelate of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya of the Sangha ancestry of Mahavihara; Most Venerable Professor Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, Supreme Judicial Leader of Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya; the Anu Nayaka Theros, Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thero and Most Venerable Ankumbure Premavansa Thero; along with the Maha Sangha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; former High Court Justice and Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya; Secretary of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Member of Parliament Lasantha Alagiyawanna, among others.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Women MPs’ caucus discuss on setting common minimum age for marriage

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2025

editor

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka, chaired by Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, has discussed several legislative reforms, including a proposal to establish a common legal minimum age for marriage across all communities of the country.

Meeting on Jan. 21, the caucus had discussed the need to amend existing marriage laws as well as to correctly define a “child” in alignment with international standards to enhance child protection. efforts in Sri Lanka.