2024-04-04
News Categories : Committee News
It was revealed in the Committee on Ways and Means that the profit made by traders for one kilo by selling imported essential food items based on the market price is between Rs 100-1000.
This was revealed when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament on 2nd April 2024 under the chairmanship of Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.
There was a discussion on the discrepancy between the market price of a kilo of essential food items and the import price. The officials of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Department of Trade and Investment Policies, Sri Lanka Customs, Import and Export Control Department, Department of Censors and Statistics, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute were summoned for the committee meeting.
It was revealed that since 2018, there has been a continuous decline in the tax revenue imposed by the government on imported goods, and this has been caused by the mismatch of the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) imposed on imported essential food items in accordance with the value of the US dollar. Accordingly, it was revealed that the consumers have not benefited from this as it costs a lot of money to buy these goods, but the traders have made a significant profit by selling these imported essential food items. Accordingly, it was revealed that the profit was between Rs 100-1000 per kilo based on the market price.
Also, based on these facts, the huge disparity between the market price of a kilogram of essential food items and the price at which goods are released from customs after the imposition of special commodity tax was also discussed here.
Accordingly, the Chairman of the Committee instructed the Sri Lanka Customs officials to submit all the reports related to the import of essential food items to the Committee on a weekly basis.
The chairman also emphasized to the officials of the Inland Revenue Department the importance of formally registering the importers who import goods under category 2525 in order to collect value added tax (VAT) and streamlining the import process of goods under category 7000. He also instructed to take steps to collect taxes according to the Inland Revenue Act for the undue profits earned by the importers during the importation of essential food items during the period from 2018 to 2023 and to report the progress to the committee by the end of this month.
Also, the importance of the intervention of the Consumer Affairs Authority to prevent consumer exploitation during the festive season was also emphasized here. Also, instead of buying essential food items from importers, the committee also advised that the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security should prepare a program to directly import and deliver them to the consumer. The committee also advised to prepare a program to inform the public about the price following the customs clearance, market price and maximum retail price of essential food items through websites, mobile applications and social media.
In addition, the progress of the forensic audit conducted by the Auditor General regarding the irregularities in granting licenses to import electric vehicles to Sri Lankans working abroad was discussed in the meeting. The committee instructed the relevant parties to suspend the gazette extending the granting of licenses to import electric vehicles for Sri Lankans employed abroad until the forensic audit conducted by the Auditor General is completed.
Also, the collection of arrears of tax was discussed here and the following instructions were given to the Inland Revenue Department. Accordingly,
• Immediate action (such as acquisition of properties/assets) as per Inland Revenue Act to recover Rs 188 billion in recoverable tax arrears.
• Taking necessary action to recover tax withheld within 3 years due to taking legal action.
• To provide the list of tax evaders and organizations to the committee within a week
• Establishing a public private partnership model through an open tender to maintain the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS).
• Providing the Attorney General's opinion to the Committee on whether the signed agreement information related to the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) can be released to a third party.
• Instead of opening tax files for persons above 18 years of age, taking data of persons earning more than Rs.1 lakh per month (25 lakhs) on a digital platform,
State Ministers Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Hon. Sisira Jayakodi and Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Members of Parliament, Hon. W.D.J Seneviratne, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Udayana Kirindigoda, Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara, Hon. Shanta Bandara, Hon. Jayaratne Herath, Hon. Chandima Weerakkodi, Hon. Ali Saheer Maulana, Hon. Asanka Navaratne, Hon. Gamini Valeboda and Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe were also present in this committee meeting.
2025-02-16
The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill approved by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The approval was received when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met in Parliament today (Feb. 14) under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayaratne. The annual reports of the Distance Learning Center for the years 2021 and 2022 were also considered by the Committee and approved. The Hon. Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath, Deputy Ministers, Members of the Committee, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Members of Parliament and government officials were present in this committee meeting.
2025-02-13
A joint initiative between the Fisheries and Trade Ministries to sell fish through the Lanka Sathosa ChainMinistry of Fisheries to extend attention regarding the renovation of existing ports in the northern and eastern provinces The Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that necessary measures are being taken to prevent Indian fishermen from illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.He expressed these views during the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources which was held in Parliament, recently (Feb. 07) under his Chairmanship. The Hon. Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Rathna Gamage, was also present at the Committee meeting held.Accordingly, the Hon. Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that discussion is underway with Tamil Nadu and the Indian High Commissioner to resolve this issue regarding Indian fishermen. He further mentioned that a swift resolution to this issue, which has affected local fishermen, would be provided without resorting to conflicts.Furthermore, extensive discussions were also held on initiating a joint program between the Ministries of Fisheries and Trade to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa. Expressing his views on this matter, the Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, stated that there are plans to expand Lanka Sathosa network in the future and that the necessary arrangements could be made to sell fish through these stores. Officials representing the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, commenting on the matter, stated that they are looking forward to promptly implementing the required measures to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa. Accordingly, they further stated that plans are in place to package the relevant fish varieties in a manner that makes them more convenient for consumers to prepare.During this meeting, various issues pertaining to the fisheries industry across the country were brought to the attention of the relevant officials by the Hon. Members of Parliament. Extensive discussions were held within the Committee on matters such as illegal fishing using prohibited nets and dynamite, issues related to Freshwater fisheries, and issues pertaining to domestic harbors. Expressing his views, the Committee Chair instructed the relevant officials to take necessary actions regarding the said issues. Additionally, he stated that the Ministry is paying more attention to the renovation of harbors in the Northern and Eastern provinces and is working towards resolving the existing issues.Moreover, The Annual Report of the Fishery Board Statutory Corporation for the year 2021 and the Annual Performance Report of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the year 2023 were also considered and approved in the Committee.This committee meeting was attended by Hon. Ministers, Hon. Deputy Ministers, Committee Members including Hon. Members of Parliament, and officials from the Ministery of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, among others.
2025-02-13
A meeting to discuss the Action Plan of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus was held on 07.02.2025 under the patronage of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Chairperson of the Caucus Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Mrs. Saroja Savitri Paulraj. The Caucus discussed the possibility of enhancing women’s representation by achieving 25% women’s representation at the Provincial Level. Accordingly, the Caucus looked at the mechanisms of bringing in amendments to the prevailing law for the implementation of the said proposal at the upcoming election. The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus also decided on meeting with various political parties and party secretaries to demand the appointment of women and increase women representation in the Provincial and Local Government bodies. Moreover, matters such as the elimination of sexual harassment at the workplace and the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) was also taken into consideration. During the meeting, plans to mark the International Women’s Day which falls on March 8th, were also discussed. Deputy Co-Chairpersons of the Caucus Hon. Member of Parliament (Mrs.) Chamindrani Kiriella (Attorney-at-Law) and Hon. Member of Parliament (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe and Members of Parliament, (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda (Attorney-at-Law), (Ms.) (Dr) Kaushalya Ariyarathne, (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi, (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi (Attorney-at-Law), (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage, (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe (Attorney-at-Law), (Ms.) Ambika Samivel and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra (Attorney-at-Law) were also present at this meeting.
2025-02-07
Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, P. Ruwan Senarath to lead the Sub-Committee The Chair of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna recommended the establishment of a special sub-Committee consisting of 08 members to identify the necessary policy changes in the public service. This was special sub-committee established when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met recently (Feb. 05) under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna in the Parliament premises. The subcommittee was established under the leadership of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, P. Ruwan Senarath. Hon. Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Ajantha Gammeddage, Dharmapriya Dissanayake, Dinindu Saman, (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, Lal Premanath and Muhammad Faizal were appointed as the other members to the said Committee. The primary objective of this subcommittee is to conduct the necessary investigations and identify policy changes required in key aspects of the public service, such as appointments, competitive examinations, retirements, and vacancies. The findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee. The need for such a subcommittee was initially proposed by Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, following which the Chairman approved the appointment. Additionally, discussions were held regarding existing vacancies in Divisional Secretariat Offices and Local Government institutions. Officials who attended the meeting highlighted that in 2024, the services of 8,435 individuals in Local Government institutions has been made permanent. Furthermore, a comprehensive staff review of all Local Government institutions is currently underway, with the final report expected by March 31, 2025. Once completed, the relevant data will be provided to the Department of Management Services for necessary appointments. Officials also clarified that employees recruited for specific projects will not be made permanent. Moreover, discussions were held regarding the competitive examination process for appointing Grama Niladhari officials. Members of Parliament and government officials including members of the committee were present at this Committee meeting held.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
