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Remove ban on vehicle imports – Customs…
foreign credit line to facilitate vehicle imports proposed
Revenue shortfall Rs 443 bn:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka Customs has warned the Finance Ministry that it will fall short of its revenue targets for 2023 by at least Rs. 443 bn unless the government abolishes the ban on vehicle imports as well as restrictions on other imports immediately.
The top Customs management recently told the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans that the Finance Ministry had been appraised of their inability to meet anticipated revenue targets.
The Customs officials appeared before the SOC, headed by SLPP lawmaker Mahindananda Aluthgamage, on 08 June.
Aluthgamage said that only Rs 330 bn had been collected up to May this year though the government projected Rs 1,226 bn in revenue.
Sri Lanka imposed a ban on vehicle imports in early 2020 due to a severe balance of payments crisis that ultimately led to declaration of bankruptcy in April 2022.
The SOC has summoned Customs to ascertain their contribution to the government revenue this year.
The SOC has been told that the maximum Customs could collect this year is Rs 783 bn under the present circumstances.
The all-party committee has also been informed that approximately 20 percent of Customs revenue was earned through taxes imposed on vehicle imports. Therefore, the vital unit couldn’t be expected to succeed unless the government created the much needed requirement.
Customs, Inland Revenue and Excise Departments account for more than 90 % of government revenue.
Customs also pointed out that since 2014 they never collected revenue more than Rs 1,000 bn. During the 2014-2022 period, 2014 had been the best year with Customs revenue collection reaching Rs 923 bn mark at the time the late Mangala Samaraweera served as the Finance Minister. Of this amount, Rs 194 bn had been collected as taxes imposed on vehicle imports, the arliament said. The statement issued by Parliament quoted Customs as having said that Rs 150 bn could be collected by the end of this year if ban on vehicle imports was done away with immediately.
Customs expressed the view that by resumption of vehicle imports immediately in line with their overall proposals, revenue collection for this year could be increased to Rs 1,100 bn from projected Rs 783 bn.
However, SOC and Customs seemed to have agreed that whatever the changes brought in the original estimate of Rs 1,226 couldn’t be met.
SOC Chairman Aluthgamage has assured that discussions were underway and the government would take a decision in this regard soon.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that as a result of issuance of a particular gazette in 2012 any quantity of gems could be imported by just paying USD 200. Customs have requested SOC to restore the system that had been in operation before to permit imposition of duty on the basis of the estimated value.
They also discussed the need to address Customs-related court cases within a specified time. Former minister Aluthgamage said that he would take up this issue with Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC. Customs also revealed that there were approximately 1,200 held by them pending court cases.
SOC also listened to the shocking revelation that approximately 60% percent of imports weren’t subjected to Customs inspections at all. Declaring that sugar, fertiliser and rice that were brought through the green channel never subjected to Customs scrutiny, SOC was told cigarettes, liquor and other items were smuggled in with above mentioned items.
MP Aluthgamage has pointed out that major fraudulent activities took place as Customs officers, based at Bandaranaike International Airport, were not subjected to checks at all. Customs have assured SOC Chairman after having studied the situation a directive would be issued to pave the way for BIA-based Customs officers to be checked.
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
