News

Did ICC officials arrive at their expense?

Published

3 weeks ago

May 11, 2023

editor

The two International Cricket Council (ICC) officials including its Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja who are in Sri Lanka to find out if there is any political interference in Sri Lankan cricket (SLC) are scheduled to meet Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe this evening (11).

The two met the Executive Committee of SLC yesterday and were scheduled to meet the President in the evening.

However, they have not met the President but have met Presidential Advisor Sagala Rathanayake instead.

It was reported that they have arrived at the request of the SLC.

Meanwhile, several experts raised questions as to why they are targeting Sri Lanka when there are other countries where such political interference is taking place in cricket.

They pointed out that the ICC is unofficially governed by its richest member, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and that even the BCCI’s members are not elected constitutionally but appointed by a court order.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is directly appointed by its Prime Minister. As soon as former Prime Minister Imran Khan vacated office, the new Prime Minister replaced Ramiz Raja who was appointed by Khan.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board will always be made up of people who are loyal to the government.

Even cricket in Zimbabwe is controlled by the government.

The experts said that it should be found out whether the ICC officials who come here from time to time citing various reasons are coming at their expense or at the expense of SLC.

News

Central Bank makes decision on interest rates

Published

9 mins ago

June 1, 2023

editor

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which met yesterday, has decided to lower the Central Bank’s Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 250 basis points.

Accordingly, the reduced interest rates are as follows.

Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) up to 13.50%

Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) up to 14.00%

News

List of professionals whose IRD registration is compulsory

Published

1 hour ago

June 1, 2023

editor

A gazette notice has been issued making it compulsory for those engaged in several fields such as medical, engineering, law, accounting and banking to register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) from today (01).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued this gazette as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

According to the relevant gazette, the people who are required to register with the IRD are listed below.

1. Practitioners registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)

2. Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka

3. Members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka

4. Members of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

5. Members of the Association of Professional Bankers

6. Members of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

7. Members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka

8. Attorneys-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

9. Individuals who have registered their businesses in Divisional Secretariats

10. Individuals who are in possession of vehicles registered (other than three-wheelers, motorcycles and hand tractors) in Motor Traffic Department

11. Individuals who have purchased or acquired, by virtue of Deeds Transfer, of any immovable property in Sri Lanka

12. Employees whose monthly contribution from both employee and employer to any Provident Fund is more than Rs. 20,000

13. Any individual who obtains approval for a building plan from a Local Authority

14. Any other individual who receives payment of Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs. 1,200,000 for a 12-month period for providing any services in Sri Lanka

In addition, all persons who have completed the age of 18 on 31 December 2023, or who will turn 18 on or after 01 January 2024, will also be subject to this new provision.

News

Upcountry train services disrupted

Published

1 hour ago

June 1, 2023

editor

Train services along the upcountry railway line were disrupted due to a rock slip on the railway line between Haliela and Uduwara Railway Stations this morning (01), the Railways Department said.

Passengers said that while the Udarata Menike train was travelling from Badulla to Colombo at 5.45 this morning, the driver saw the collapsed earth mound and immediately stopped the train preventing a major accident.

The Railways Department said that the restoration of the railway line is currently being done.