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Sajith & Dilith slam 15% Services Export Tax

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Opposition Leader – Sajith Premadasa has slammed the 15% Services Export Tax

Taking to X, he points out that the tax will cripple Sri Lanka’s digital economy and drive talent away.

“IT freelancers & service exporters bring in much-needed forex. Taxing them discourages growth, investment & innovation. At a time when needs to boost exports, this move will push talent overseas—hurting our economy long-term. Instead of taxing dollar earners, the govt should incentivize & support them to boost long term revenue, investments and talent and industry development,” he points out.

Speaking during the Cabinet briefing yesterday (Feb. 25), Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government has no choice but to implement the Services Export Tax under the current circumstances.

According to reports, the tax, which is to be implemented from April 01, 2025, will affect individuals and companies in Sri Lanka that provide services to external parties and bring back foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, speaking at a media briefing held today (Feb. 26), leader of the Sarvajana Balaya – MP Dilith Jayaweera said that the tax could discourage creative entrepreneurship and drive foreign exchange transactions into informal channels such as ‘Undiyal.

Referring to the February 21 gazette amending the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, he further said that the tax applies to freelancers and professionals, including content creators on YouTube and Facebook, freelance creatives using platforms like Fiverr, and consultants such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants.

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STF arrests two in Gampaha with T-56 weapons; Plot to kill ‘Gampaha Osman’ uncovered

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The Special Task Force (STF) today (19) arrested two suspects in Gampaha in possession of two T-56 firearms.  

During interrogations, the suspects revealed information leading to the arrest of five additional individuals connected to the case.  

Furthermore, during the interrogation, it was revealed that they were planning to assassinate an individual known as ‘Gampaha Osman’.

Authorities are conducting further inquiries into the matter.  

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Probe launched into tuition teacher’s police escort

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Sri Lanka Police have launched an investigation into a video going viral on social media, which depicts a female tuition teacher being escorted by police motorcycles and vehicles to an event organized by her.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manathunga confirmed that the individual in question is a private tuition teacher who conducts classes for students preparing for the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Addressing the controversy, SSP Manathunga explained that the Sri Lanka Police may provide officers and vehicles for specific public affairs — such as for filming a movie — but only after a thorough intelligence review of the request and its context, including the script.

He further clarified that police officers may also be deployed for public events such as musical shows or ticketed functions, but this is permitted only upon payment of a required fee.

In this particular case, the teacher is reported to have requested police support, claiming it was needed for a ceremony honoring students who had successfully passed the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. The event was said to involve nearly 8,000 students and 35,000 parents.

However, preliminary investigations have revealed that the teacher may have used the police escort to boost her personal image, raising serious concerns about the misuse of state resources.

Police have since launched an inquiry into how the vehicles and officers were allocated for the event, and whether any police personnel were complicit in the unauthorized use of official resources, SSP Manathunga said.

(Source : adaderena.lk)

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SriLankan retired cabin crew amid ‘work to rule’ campaign

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According to reports, the SriLankan Airlines’ management has decided to immediately call up retired cabin crew members to service, following the ‘work to rule’ campaign launched by the Cabin Crew Members Association.

The SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Members Association launched a ‘work to rule’ campaign in April, citing several demands, including the reallocation of their onboard meal allowance.

In this backdrop, the national carrier is said to be operating with a reduced number of cabin crew which was further affected by the recent retirement of a significant number of experienced senior staff.

The staff were retired stating that individuals over the age of 60 would no longer be retained.

Efforts to extend the retirement age had been unsuccessful. 

Even though they had directed a formal request to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Dec. 12, 2024, no response was received, reports add.

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