News
Rs 16 bn revenue loss: CIABOC summons Bandula over sugar duty scam
Dec.09 disclosure has implicated Prez, his advisors
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) inquiring into massive revenue losses suffered in 2020/2021 owing to an alleged sugar tax scam has summoned the then Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena for questioning.
The CIABOC intends to question incumbent Media and transport minister Gunawardena on Monday (19).
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya on 09 Nov., informed Parliament that the Treasury had suffered losses amounting to Rs 16 bn due to the unprecedented reduction of duty on a kilo of white sugar from Rs 50 to 25 cents with effect from Oct 13, 2020. The SLFPer said that the Treasury could recover only 30 percent of Rs 16 bn loss.
Lawmaker Siyambalapitiya assured parliament that the government would ensure such unilateral decisions couldn’t be taken in the future.Authoritative sources told The Island that the then Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera had been questioned in this regard. The one-time Secretary to the Treasury has told investigators the President cleared the reduction of duty on sugar.
Then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa served as the finance minister atthetime whereas Ajith Nivard Cabraal heldthestate finance portfolio. S. R. Attygalle served as the Secretary to the Treasury.The SLPP government increased theduty to Rs 50 in May 2020, a couple of months before the general election.
CIABOC would seek clarification from Minister Gunawardena as regards his disclosure in parliament on Dec 09 that those who spoke on behalf of sugar racketeers had the ear of the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Minister Gunawardena said that in spite of him being the trade minister, he was not consulted at all and his strong oppositionwasdisregarded by President Rajapaksa. Responding to SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera, MP, lawmaker Gunawardena claimed that inimical decisions were taken by ‘advisors’ at the expense of ministers who lacked authority.
CIABOC has so far recorded statements from over 30 persons in respect of the high profile investigation launched following complaints received fromSamagi Jana BalavegayaMPs, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Mayantha Dissanayake and Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku.
The Islandlearns that the CIABOC isalsocontemplating toobtaina statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in this regard. Sources said that a clarification was required as some of those who had been questioned over the issuance of the relevant gazette by the Finance Ministry claimed they received instructions from the President.
Former Chairman of the Public Finance Commission Anura Priyadarshana Yapa is on record as having said that the reduction of duty on sugar didn’t benefit the consumers at all. Incumbent cabinet ministers Vidura Wickremanayake and Nalin Fernando before they received ministerial portfolios this year in their capacity as members of the Public Finance Commission have criticized the sugar tax scam.
Former Director (Administration) Parliament and civil society activist Lacille de Silva said that the CIABOC should go the whole hog. A proper inquiry could help identify those who had ruined the national economy and forced millions of families to experience untold hardships.
Referring to Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007 imports could be exempted from duty/tax,De Silva explained that ministerial actions had to be justified regardless of the economic crisis the country was experiencing now,he said.
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
