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TEA shocked by 18 percent tax on vital export earner
The Tea Exporters Association (TEA) sounded an alarm in response to the impending 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) set to hit the tea industry from 01 January 2024.
Issuing a press release, TEA expressed serious concerns and highlighted potential disruptions to the entire tea value chain, unless a smooth operational mechanism is promptly established.
IT said: The TEA acknowledges the necessity to broaden the tax net and introduce VAT to stabilise the country’s finances. However, the Association is deeply worried about the repercussions of imposing an 18 percent VAT on a commodity primarily destined for over 90 percent export, requiring a full VAT refund to stay competitive globally. This move has raised red flags within the industry.
“”While it is understood that in order to resurrect the country’s financial stability, we have to widen the tax net and the VAT, the high VAT on a commodity, of which over 90 percent is produced and sold purely for exports, wherein all of the VAT will need to be refunded to stay competitive in the world market, the imposition of the VAT on tea has caused grave concern amongst the tea industry stakeholder,” it said.
Urging swift action, the TEA has called upon the Finance Ministry and Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to swiftly register all tea manufacturers for VAT. The Association stressed the unique nature of the tea sector, requesting special attention from the IRD. They highlighted the need for comprehensive stakeholder consultations before implementing such substantial changes, aiming to sustain the industry amid challenging global conditions.
With over 400,000 tea smallholder farmers contributing to 70 percent of tea production, 21 regional plantation companies, around 600 tea manufacturers, and more than 300 tea exporters/buyers, the tea industry’s complex network involves eight brokers conducting weekly tea auctions. However, the imminent VAT implementation poses a significant shift, requiring all 600 tea factories to register for VAT and Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT), potentially leading to administrative hurdles and added costs.
“The last tea auction of the year concluded on December 19, 2023 and the next tea auction is scheduled for January 3, 2024. The exporters are sceptical about the ability of the tea factories getting the VAT/SVAT registration before January 1 and the fate of the first tea auction of 2024. The tea manufacturers, who are unable to get the VAT registration by January 1, will not be able to issue VAT invoices and may have to keep away from the auctions until the registrations are completed. This may have multiple effects on the tea exports, income of smallholder farmers, etc. Even foreign buyers may keep away from the tea auction temporarily, which could affect the tea prices,” the TEA statement said.
Expressing industry concerns, the TEA highlighted the potential disruption of upcoming tea auctions, impacting payments to farmers, tea exports, and the participation of foreign buyers, thus affecting tea prices.
Additionally, while the government’s gazette notification includes green leaves under VAT, the tea industry seeks assurance that this fundamental agricultural raw material might be exempt from VAT payments.
In summary, the TEA is advocating for thorough consultation, extended registration timelines, and an alternative system to ensure minimal disruption to the established tea value chain. Their primary objective remains the protection of the industry’s stability and competitiveness in the global market.
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
