News
SJB unionist: IOC and Sinopec benefit from special levy on fuel to recover CPC losses
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Even after imposing 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel with effect from January 1, the government continued to charge Rs 50 on a litre of both petrol and diesel purportedly to recover losses incurred by the highly corrupt state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) over the years, Samagi Jana Balawegaya trade union leader Ananda Palitha told The Island yesterday (01).
The CPC owed the public an explanation why those who had been struggling to make ends meet were forced to pay for losses caused by waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement at all levels at the government managed entity, the former UNP activist said.
According to Ananda Palitha, the government introduced Rs 50 charge on each litre of petrol or diesel sold with effect from June 01, 2023 due to accumulated government-guaranteed debt of nearly USD 3 bn owed by the CPC to the Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank transferred to the Treasury in line with a Cabinet decision.
Palitha pointed out that two private enterprises, namely Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) and Chinese giant Sinopec, had been the main beneficiaries of the controversial levy.
The trade unionist took up this issue in the wake of the new pricing formula announced at midnight on January 1.
The CPC and LIOC increased the price of a litre of petrol 92 by Rs 20 to Rs 366 whereas Sinopec priced the litre at Rs 363. The CPC and LIOC increased the price of litre of auto diesel by Rs 29 to Rs 358 while Sinopec priced the litre at Rs 355. The CPC, LIOC and Sinopec priced petrol 95 and super diesel at Rs 464 and Rs 475, respectively, having increased the price of litre by Rs 38 and Rs 41. A litre of kerosene has been reduced by Rs 11 to be priced at Rs 236.
Contrary to various reports regarding the new pricing formula, the government imposed 18 percent VAT after having abolished 7.5 percent Port and Airport Development Levy aka PAL but retained the unprecedented Rs 50 charge on a litre of diesel and petrol.
Ananda Palitha alleged that the Cabinet approved original plan to levy 1% tax on monthly sales of new entrants to the domestic fuel market, namely Chinese oil giant Sinopec, US-based R.M. Parks and United Petroleum of Australia was reversed and a special charge of Rs. 50 imposed on hapless consumers. The US and Australia-based firms are yet to launch operations here.
One percent tax was to be utilized to settle USD 3 billion loans taken by the CPC but following representations made by Sinopec, the government abolished 1% tax on their sales, Ananda Palitha said, urging the Opposition to examine the issue at hand without further delay.
Responding to another query, the political activist found fault with the Parliament for not looking into the pricing formula, regardless of the media relentlessly taking up the issue. The Opposition, too, had been largely silent while the government allowed Indian and Chinese state companies to make a killing, the SJB trade union leader alleged. “We are contemplating lodging a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Can a bankrupt country allow foreign companies to make such huge profits at the expense of the public?” Ananda Palitha asked.
The government repeatedly assured that the entry of foreign players would stabilize the local market and ensure uninterrupted supply, Ananda Palitha said. “We were told of competitive pricing formulas and quality products at affordable prices. But, the foreign players are now making unconscionable profits with the blessings of the government,” the activist 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.
