News
Over Rs 900 bn in uncollected taxes worries govt.
Budget 2024: Govt. counts on MR to deliver required votes
By Shamindra Ferdinando
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday (21) warned that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic recovery plans would be derailed and the country would again plunge into crisis if the Opposition succeeded in defeating the 2024 Budget.
The Kegalle District MP asserted that even the resumption of the IMF’s USD 2.9 bn bailout package and ongoing talks on foreign and local debt restructuring could be jeopardized in the event of the government’s failure to muster the required support in the vote on the Second Reading of the Budget later in the day.
The Minister said so in response to The Island query whether the ruling SLPP decided to vote for the Budget against the backdrop of MP Namal Rajapaksa publicly criticizing the 2024 revenue proposals. The issue was raised at a media briefing held at the President’s Media Division (PMD).
A smiling State Minister declared that SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa had assured support for the Budget. The declaration was made a few hours before the vote on the Budget. The State Minister said that anyone genuinely interested in carrying forward economic recovery plan initiated by President Wickremesinghe wouldn’t dare vote against the Budget. Those who pursued personal agendas would go all out to undermine the government, the State Minister said.
During his introductory remarks, the State Minister emphasized that the country was in such a precarious state, the government had no option but to expand the tax regime in line with its overall strategy to address the developing financial crisis.
According to the State Minister, at the time of the crisis, the revenue had been 8.3 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but by the end of this year it would reach 10.1% and by Dec next year, the government expected 12.3% revenue.
Dismissing growing criticism of the Budget as irrelevant, MP Siyambalapitiya said that some Opposition lawmakers wanted the government to enhance relief while some opposed the increase in taxes. The State Minister explained that VAT had been greatly expanded by reducing the list of items so far exempted by the indirect tax. The State declined to reveal the 85 items exempted from a list of 138 though he assured VAT wouldn’t be imposed on electricity.
The Island sought an explanation from the State Minister regarding recent statement issued made by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that taxes, penalties and interest amounting to Rs 943 bn were yet to be collected by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). The refusal by the IRD to fully takeover and operate the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) installed a decade ago was also raised. In addition to that The Island pointed out COPA expressing concern over proper collection of VAT (Value Added Tax) against the backdrop of the government’s decision to increase that particular tax from 15% to 18%.
MP Siyambalapitiya said that out of Rs 943 bn in uncollected taxes, 82% had been held up pending the conclusion of the legal process. The State Minister said that though the progress was slow the government couldn’t do anything about it.
“We couldn’t force them to pay. They have an opportunity even to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court,” MP Siyambalapitiya said, adding that the amount referred to by COPA was the amount to be collected during the past two decades.
Referring to the Customs, the State Minister said that out of the Rs 60 bn yet to be collected by Customs, 95% was owed by state institutions.
Commenting further on the RAMIS project, the SLPPer said that the change of tax regime thrice during the past decade affected the operation of the system. The project had been also halted for want of funds, the State Minister said, expressing confidence a fresh initiative meant to complete the project was underway.
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
