News
Lankans will have to pay more to send postal packages to EU member countries
Following imposition of revised tax policy
by Suresh Perera
With the European Union (EU) revising its tariff regime on postal shipments with effect from July 1, all postal packages up to EUR 150 (approximately Rs. 35,500) in market value mailed from Sri Lanka to any of the 27 member countries in the economic and political grouping will be subject to direct Value Added Tax (VAT).
The new tax policy will not be applicable to letters sent to EU member states, Post Master General (PMG) Ranjith Ariyaratne clarified.
However, postal customers, online sellers and marketplaces, which send items within the specified EUR 150 value will be liable to VAT, he said.
Postal goods that exceed the stated value will be subjected to other customs regulations as determined by the relevant government in addition to the VAT policy of the EU member country, the PMG explained.
He said that all applicable customs duties on postal items exceeding EUR 150 in value will be charged from the recipient of postal item/items at the destination.
Asked how the VAT component could be paid directly to the EU member country concerned, Ariyaratne said the payment can be done by registering online.
Customers can obtain all information about the tax policies, payment options and the procedures to be followed in terms of the relevant laws and regulations by accessing the relevant web links. (See below)
He said that customers should be aware of these policies, regulations and updates by referring to the web links before handing over their items to postal counters for onward delivery.
Asked on what basis the values on postal packages are calculated for taxation, the PMG said there is a variance depending on the category.
“The tax is applicable even to a personal gift item sent from Sri Lanka to a person living in any EU member country”.
All postal customers, including online retailers and online marketplaces, are required to provide the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) ID Number with the parcel/postal item at the post office counter, to ensure smooth customs clearance and timely delivery of the goods to the destination.
In the event of non-compliance with applicable tax policies, the destination country reserves the right to add relevant taxes including VAT and other import tariffs. In addition, the recipient may have to pay an extra clearance fee according to the import rules and regulations of the destination country.
Additional charges at the time of import may cause the customer to refuse the goods. The customer is responsible for any further action taken by the Postal Administration or the Customs in respect of the relevant product.
The Sri Lanka Postal Department is not responsible for the imposition and collection of VAT or any other tax levied by the EU countries, the PMG stressed.
More information on the revised EU tax policy can be obtained by visiting the following web links:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/taxation/vat/vat-rules-rates/index_en.htm
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/union-customs-code/ucc-introduction_en
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/union-customs-code/ucc-legislation_en
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/vat-e-commerce_en
https://ec.europa.eu/vat-ecommerc
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
