PARLIAMENT

6 gazettes were considered and approved at the Committee on Public Finance held on 05.10.2023 Chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament.

Attention was also drawn to Gazette No. 2329/19 and 2342/24 under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003. According to these Gazettes, the embarkation tax from Ratmalana and Jaffna Airports will be reduced from USD 60 to USD 30, officials said. It was disclosed that this decision was taken to promote tourism industry in Sri Lanka and the Committee Chair instructed the officials to provide an analytical report in this regard.

Attention was also drawn to the announcements in the Gazette No. 2340/42 under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018. Since vehicles imported by a diplomat or a diplomatic organization are exempt from luxury tax, this Gazette Notification has been published in relation to the collection of luxury tax levied on the sale or disposal of said vehicles based on the period of use of said vehicles. Furthermore, under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018, the notification published in the Gazette No. 2334/24 has advanced the dates under the scheme for granting licenses to import fully electric vehicles to Sri Lankans employed abroad by a few more months.

Under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No. 40 of 1979, the provisions of Gazette No. 2341/63 were also looked into. On the recommendation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry, these terms were presented to provide a cess tax relief to the raw materials required for the local paint manufacturers in relation to the top industry.

The regulations published in the Gazette No. 2347/08 under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 were also considered. According to the Gazette of June 14th, 2023, it was necessary to obtain import licenses for the import of wheat flour and the officials pointed out that it will be removed by this Gazette. Since recommendations had been given by the Committee of Public Finance before, the Committee Chair expressed his gratitude regard its implementation.

After considering the Gazettes, approval was given to them.

Members of Parliament Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Hon. Wajira Abeywardana, Hon. Duminda Dissanayake, Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Hon. Isuru Dodangoda, Hon. Madhura Withanage were present at the Committee meeting held.