News

The second paper of the ongoing GCE Advanced Level Examination Agricultural Science subject has been nullified in all three languages, the Department of Examinations announced today.

According to the Exam Department, the decision has been taken to nullify the exam paper which was issued on Wednesday (Jan 10) due to suspicions of its leakage on social media before the examination.

The Commissioner General of Examinations has declared that a new paper for the affected subject will be provided after the completion of the ongoing exams.

The Commissioner General of Examinations is expected to announce later the date of the new Agricultural Science second paper of the Advanced Level Examination.

SJB’s Chaminda Wijesiri has announced his resignation as a member of parliament.

Making a statement to the House today (09), the Badulla district MP said he tendered his letter of resignation to the secretary general of parliament.

Palitha Range Bandara will continue as general secretary of the UNP this year.

He has been reappointed to the position by party leader, president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

With Bandara presently unwell, his appointment letter was received by the party’s CEO Shamal Senarath at Sirikotha.

The term of the UNP’s office-bearers ended on 31 December.

As per the party constitution, the leader should appoint the general secretary and the treasurer.

The other officials are appointed by the working committee.

In the meantime, Wickremesinghe has decided to appoint a leadership council to prepare the party for national elections.

The main entrance of the Yala National Park has been temporarily closed until further notice, due to floods.

Accordingly, the Tissamaharama - Palatupana main entrance of the Yala National Park is closed until further notice due to floods, a warden of the park confirmed.

He assured, however, that despite the closure of the relevant gate, tourists are still able to enter the Yala National Park through the Katagamuwa entrance, adding that access to Zones 4, 5 and 6 remain available, despite there being no access to Zone 1.

The laws will be strictly enforced to eradicate the trade mafia generating profits without registering with the Inland Revenue Department, State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya warned.

State Minister Siyambalapitiya further outlined the government’s plan to expand the tax base, anticipating a rise in the direct tax percentage to 40%.

He made the observations while participating in a special VAT awareness conference at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, organized by Saman Ratnapriya, the Director General of Presidential Trade Unions, for the benefit of civil society activists, government officials, political activists, trade union leaders, and journalists.

State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya further said these challenging times affect everyone, regardless of their economic status, as incomes decrease and expenses rise.

The government acknowledges these difficulties and recognizes the necessity of its ongoing program to address the country’s problems.

Increasing government revenue is crucial for economic development, and to achieve this, the government aims to expand the tax base. The direct tax percentage has already risen from 20% to 30%, with plans to further increase it to 40%. The government also enforces strict laws to combat the trade mafia, preventing them from making unfair profits through fake bills without proper registration with the Inland Revenue Department. Additionally, there is potential to reduce indirect taxes in the future, he said.

Also addressing the conference, Tax Consultant of the Finance Ministry’s Finance Department Tanuja Perera said businesses are required to remit VAT to the Inland Revenue Department monthly, with the amount charged from the 1st to the 31st of January due by the 20th of February.

“Failure to do so may result in legal action under the VAT Act by the Ministry of Finance. Displaying the Inland Revenue Department’s issued license is mandatory for shops eligible to charge VAT. Invoices, following a format set by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, must be issued to consumers after VAT is applied. Strict enforcement is in place against fraudulent businesses collecting money without proper VAT registration, with penalties and collected VAT funds pursued by the government, Perera added.

Meanwhile, Director General of Trade Unions to the President, Saman Ratnapriya, said the VAT amendment has sparked heated discussions in today’s society, particularly since President Ranil Wickremesinghe introduced it in the 2024 budget in his capacity as the Finance Minister.

“This budget serves as the economic blueprint for the current year, and without meaningful societal discussions, turning its proposals into reality becomes challenging. That’s why seminars on VAT are organized.

“Numerous misconceptions surround this VAT amendment, notably the increase from 15% to 18%. While the tax has risen by 3% for existing goods, some items have gone from 0% to 18%. Additionally, due to tax adjustments, certain products experience a lower-than-expected VAT increase of 18%. To navigate these complexities, a thorough societal discourse on this VAT amendment is crucial,” he said.

Also speaking at the conference, K. K. I. Eranda from the government revenue unit of the President’s Office said that government inefficiencies in VAT collection have been identified, impacting the potential contribution to the economy.

“Proper VAT collection could add 6% to the gross domestic product, but currently, only 2% is realized. Three primary areas of tax leakage have been uncovered: businessmen not remitting collected taxes, irregularities by officials, and losses due to tax exemptions. Addressing these leakages is crucial for stabilizing the economy.

“In the first half of 2019, VAT was at 15%, reduced to 8% in 2020, and maintained for the next three years. However, the economic downturn persisted, indicating that the VAT reduction alone did not stimulate growth. To revitalize the collapsed economy, a VAT increase of 18% is proposed.

“Currently, around thirteen thousand businesses are registered for VAT collection, with the government aiming to increase this number to fifty thousand in the future,” he added.

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill debated in Parliament today (09) was passed in Parliament by a majority vote.

The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held today from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm and at the end of the debate Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam of Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) called for a division for the said Bill. Accordingly, in the voting held, 48 votes were cast in favor of the Bill and only 7 votes were cast against. Accordingly, the Second Reading of the Bill was passed by a majority of 41 votes.

Amendments were added to the Bill during the Committee and accordingly the Bill was passed with amendments.

Meanwhile, the National Hydrographic Bill, which was debated today, was also passed with amendments, without a vote with.

The book “I am Austin,” authored by Mr. Austin Fernando, a former presidential secretary, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (09).

Serving as both an autobiography and a commentary on public service and political activism, the book intertwines Mr. Fernando’s experiences in public service with reflections on the intricacies of political engagement.

Mr. Fernando, known for his multifaceted roles in contemporary Sri Lankan history, notably held the position of Secretary of the Ministry of Defence during the 2001-2003 ceasefire agreement and later served as the President’s Secretary from 2017 to 2018.

His involvement in high-profile responsibilities within the public service and participation in private and international corporate functions make him a first-hand witness to some contentious events in Sri Lanka’s political history.

Offering a unique perspective, “I am Austin” unveils aspects of Sri Lankan political and administrative realms that often remain undocumented in mainstream media or other sources.

The book serves as a window into the unexplored truths of the country’s political landscape, shedding light on the intricacies, vulnerabilities, and complexities inherent in human nature within the realms of government and diplomacy.

In essence, “I am Austin” stands not only as an autobiography but also as a timely social discourse.

Slain ‘Sunday Leader’ editor Lasantha Wickramatunga is being remembered today (08) on his 15th death anniversary.

A remembrance event, comprising a mass, was due to take place at his burial place, Borella cemetery, at 9.00 am.

Wickramatunga was killed by unidentified persons at Attidiya in Dehiwala on 08 January 2009.

The killers are yet to be ascertained.

Six years after the killing, his remains were exhumed on 27 September 2016 and a new inquest took place.

Its determination was that he died from injuries to the head and brain from an unspecified weapon, and not due to gunshot wounds, the CID informed courts on 20 March 2017.

Investigations also revealed that Army intelligence members had frequented his office a day prior to his killing, the CID said, adding that statements had been recorded from 950 persons, including 295 Army intelligence members.

Crimes OIC of Mt. Lavinia police at the time, Tissa Sugathapala, was arrested in 2018 for allegedly concealing evidence in the murder, but got bailed out later.

In April 2019, the journalist’s daughter, Ahimsa, filed a civil plaint in a US court, accusing former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa of being responsible for the killing of her father.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister, Harin Fernando, and International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Allardice, held a productive meeting today to discuss the future of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The two leaders engaged in a "constructive discussion" focused on finding a way forward for the cricket administration body, which has faced internal challenges in recent times.

Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa filed a Fundamental Rights petition to the Supreme Court on January 8th, challenging the recent electricity tariff hike and the Ceylon Electricity Board's (CEB) practice of disconnecting power to consumers.

The petition names the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the CEB Head Office, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, the Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, and the Attorney General's Department as respondents.

The Opposition Leader speaking to reporters outside the apex court premises in Colombo contends that the CEB generated excess electricity through hydropower, leading to Rs. 52 billion in profits.

He said that a 400 GWh drop in demand resulted in further profits of Rs. 26 billion, and additionally, the CEB imposed an 18% tariff hike, generating another Rs. 26 billion.

Premadasa highlighted the disconnection of electricity for 800,000 consumers despite the Rs. 52 billion profit made by the CEB.

He called for the immediate suspension of this practice and a review of the disconnection policy.

Opposition Leader Premadasa also called for a reduction in electricity tariffs based on the CEB's profits and the introduction of a new pricing formula for low-income consumers struggling with current rates.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the sister of Britain’s King Charles III, has arrived in Sri Lanka on an official state visit.

The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom, accompanied by her spouse Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, will be in Sri Lanka from today until January 13, 2024.

Princess Anne is in Sri Lanka to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe extendedhis warm congratulations and best wishes to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party’s victory in the parliamentary elections & her re-election to the office of Prime Minister.

“Recognizing her visionary leadership, he expressed confidence in her wisdom and experience benefiting the people of Bangladesh” PMD said in a statement.