News

Ways and Means committee displeased over failure to recover 2023 tax arrears

Published

11 months ago

July 12, 2024

editor

The Committee on Ways and Means expressed its strong displeasure over the failure to act on the recommendations given by the committee on 24.04.2024 to collect the total tax amount of 1.1 billion rupees for the year 2023 from the relevant liquor manufacturers on or before 30.06.2024.

The Excise Department stated that the recommendations given by the committee and the contradictions between the agreements for the collection of excise duty in previous years and the measures to be taken in this regard were inquired from the Ministry of Finance on 24.05.02, but no reply was received from the Ministry.

This was discussed on 10.07.2024 when the Committee on Ways and Means met at the Parliament premises under the chairmanship of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Tax arrears
It was revealed that the arrears of taxes of W.M Mendis Company is 1659 million rupees, Higurana Distilleries 102 million rupees, Synergy Company 37 million rupees and Wayamba Distilleries 79 million rupees. Thus, it was also revealed before the committee that the total arrears of taxes to be collected from the year 2023 to 15.06.2024 is 1.8 billion rupees. Although the committee had given the recommendation to fully collect the arrears, the committee emphasized that the Parliament and the public will be informed about the Excise Department’s failure to fulfill its responsibility.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the payment agreements made by the Excise Department with companies other than W.M Mendis have now become inactive. The Chair said that the Commissioner General of Excise has failed to take proper action in this regard and despite this, the Commissioner is avoiding the Committee on Ways and Means. The committee chair further pointed out that the Excise Department is ignoring the recommendations of the Committee and it is disrespectful to the Parliament and the Committee.

The chair of the committee directed the secretary to the committee to send a written notice to the Ministry of Finance to temporarily suspend the licenses of alcohol production of companies that do not pay arrears of excise duty for the year 2023.

The committee also expressed its displeasure over the excise department adopting a lenient policy on liquor manufacturers who did not pay due excise duty while levying taxes on the general public. Also, the committee expressed its strong displeasure regarding the non-implementation of the recommendations given to the Ministry of Finance in four committee meetings.

Furthermore, the attention of the committee was drawn to the flooding of the Kandy railway station. The officers stated before the committee that the drainage system inside the Kandy railway station is not sufficient and that their maintenance and repair activities should be carried out urgently. The committee advised to draw the attention of the World Bank in this regard, to submit these proposals to the District Coordinating Committee, and to contact the Railway Department for the same.

Further investigation regarding the petition submitted with regard to the provision of muddy water to the people of Avissawella area by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board was also taken in to the consideration. There was a discussion regarding the authorized and unauthorized gem mining that has led to the issue and informed to get the list of licensed gem mining related to the ‘Getaheththa canal’ by contacting the National Gem and Jewelry Authority. Accordingly, the chairman of the committee instructed the officers present to observe this issue and submit a related report to the Committee.

News

President AKD to undertake official visit to Germany

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayaka will undertake an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from June 11 – 13, 2025 on the invitation of the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During this visit President Disanayaka will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Germany, key ministers of the Federal Government and other dignitaries to discuss new avenues for cooperation including in the spheres of trade, digital economy, investment and vocational training opportunities based on the government priorities.

President Disanayaka will Chair a Business Forum, organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), with key industries in Germany to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic transformation, investment opportunities available, growth potential of the country and opportunities for building new trade ties between the two countries.

Further, the President will meet tourism and travel industry associations of Germany during this visit.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath and senior government officials.

News

2nd capacity-building program under NCGG-SLIDA MoU concludes

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

The second customized training program for Sri Lankan civil service officers under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) was successfully conducted from 26 May to 6 June 2025.

A total of 40 Sri Lankan officers participated in the program, which focused on strengthening public administration through digital governance and innovation.

The training program is part of a larger commitment under the MoU, signed during the state visit of the President of Sri Lanka, – Anura Kumara Disanayaka, to India in December 2024, aimed at training 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants over a period of five years.

Previously, 41 Sri Lankan civil servants attended the inaugural program on the same theme from 21 April to 02 May 2025.
The training focused on avenues for transforming governance through digital technologies – covering areas such as enhancing online public services, building robust digital infrastructure, expanding access to financial services via digital payments, and improving the way public grievances are addressed using innovative digital solutions. Senior Indian officials and domain experts shared insights into India’s leading digital governance initiatives such as ‘Aadhaar’, Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Public Finance Management System, among others. The participants also undertook field visits to key institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Election Commission of India, PM Gati Shakti Anubhuti Kendra, National e-Governance Division and the Computerized Land Record Centre in Uttarakhand. The program concluded with a cultural visit to the Taj Mahal.

Capacity-building is an important pillar of India’s development cooperation with Sri Lanka. Reinforcing India’s commitment further in this sector, Prime Minister of India during his recent state visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 announced additional 700 customized training slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. This significantly enhanced capacity-building endeavour of India thus will now benefit 1000 Sri Lankans annually.

News

Govt. urged to cap mask & sanitiser prices

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2025

editor

The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.

He said this during a media briefing.

Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.

Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.

“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.