News
COPA baffled by massive rewards for Customs at the expense of Treasury
Question mark over Tax Appeals Commission
70% of fine on Lanka Coal ends up with officers
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The cash-strapped government hasn’t been able to recover tax revenue running into billions of rupees, in spite of sporadic interventions made by the Parliamentary Watchdog, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).
According to a report submitted to Parliament on July 20 by COPA, the situation has been further complicated by the Customs receiving substantial amounts, as rewards, from fines imposed on tax defaulters, at the expense of the Treasury.
Prof. Tissa Vitarana, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the 22-member COPA, has submitted the report.
The COPA has questioned the Customs why prominent palm oil importers Pyramid Wilma Pvt Ltd and Naratha Agro Industries (Pvt) Ltd. were allowed to appeal in 2019 against the Attorney General’s decision that loss of revenue suffered by the Treasury to the tune of Rs 6.130 bn during 2013-2016 period should be charged from 2013 instead of 2016 as recommended by a committee that inquired into the irregularities.
Pointing out that the Tax Appeals Commission couldn’t accept appeals made after the stipulated 3 month period following a particular decision, COPA has instructed Director General of Customs, Maj. Gen (retd) Vijitha Ravipriya to inform the Tax Appeal Commission. DG, Customs has done so on Feb 2, 2021, COPA according a copy of the report made available to The Island.
Tax Appeals Commission has been established in terms of Tax Appeals Commission Act No 23 of 2011 (subsequently amended).
COPA has also dealt with an unprecedented case of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Customs being involved in a costly case wherein the latter was seeking 50 percent of a fine imposed on SLPA as a reward for those involved in the inquiry. According to COPA proceedings, the SLPA had been blamed for defaulting on the payment of Rs 916,526 over the import of gantry cranes and other equipment worth Rs 11,498,829,084 way back in 2011.
In spite of talks involving stakeholders, including the Treasury as well as the House watchdog over the years, the issue hadn’t been resolved as both parties spent quiet a lot on lawyers.
Customs have sought a staggering 50 percent as a reward for officers from the fine imposed on the SLPA. The Consultative Committee on ports and shipping has inquired into the possibility of the Treasury taking the entire sum.
COPA has questioned the rationale in one government institution receiving cash reward at the expense of another as it caused quite a problem. According to the COPA report made available to The Island, the watchdog has requested Chief Accounting Officer/Accounting Officer to send all relevant reports and documents to parliament before the Customs appeared before Prof. Vitharana’s outfit in two months.
Prof. Tissa Vitharana told The Island that remedial measures should be taken to improve the revenue collection process. Appreciating the services rendered by members of his committee, the political veteran said that the need to enhance state revenue couldn’t be ignored. The LSSPer noted that the government income had now fallen very much less than 10 percent of the GDP, a situation all should be seriously concerned about.
COPA has examined the legal wrangle involving the Customs and the SLPA against the backdrop of Customs officers receiving half of Rs 205 mn imposed on Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd as rewards due to the payment being categorized as a fine instead of an additional tax. The company in question has been formed by CEB (60%), Treasury (20%), Ceylon Shipping Corporation (10%) and SLPA (10%). COPA pointed out that in addition to taking 50 % of the so called fine, Customs had secured a further 20% (Rs 41 mn) for their welfare and management fund leaving Rs 61.5 for the Treasury.
COPA has underscored the need to amend relevant laws to prevent recurrence of such irregularities.
COPA has revealed a spate of instances wherein due to range of factors, including raging Covid-19 epidemic had been blamed on the inordinate delay in settling a substantial number of tax appeals. The tax and penalties pertaining to 1,108 appeals amounted to a staggering Rs 18,684,603,316 whereas only 49 were finalized.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
