2024-04-04
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.
2026-11-06
The Parliamentary Caucus for Youth discussed how to strengthen engagement between young people and Parliament and advance future initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation.The Caucus met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of, Hon. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, where members exchanged views on the matter.Discussions also focused on several proposals, including a proposal on youth entrepreneurship and industrial development prepared by Hon. Member of Parliament Oshani Umanga; a proposal on empowering youth within local government authorities, prepared by Hon. Member of Parliament, Attorney-at-Law Hiruni Wijesinghe; and a proposal on a policy framework for youth in the plantation and cultivation sectors, prepared by Hon. Member of Parliament Ambika Samivel.Furthermore, extensive discussions were held on proposals prepared by the Caucus's Deputy Co-Chairs, Hon. Members of Parliament Lasith Bashana Gamage, Thanura Dissanayake and Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, concerning an external youth engagement programme and a series of pilot workshops.It was also decided to further study these proposals, which could be implemented for the benefit of young people, and finalize them following further consideration.Several members of the Caucus and other invitees were present at the meeting.
2026-11-05
The Trusts (Amendment) Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for its Second Reading in Parliament today (Nov. 05), has received the approval of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.The Bill was discussed and approved when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection met yesterday (04) under the chairmanship of its Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika.The Bill, which seeks to amend the Trusts Ordinance (Chapter 87), was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 21 October 2026 by the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.Officials from the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Ministry of Justice briefed the Committee on the amendments proposed under the Bill.Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, Major General (Retired) G. D. Sooriyabandara and Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, among others, attended the Committee meeting.
2026-11-04
A special national programme was successfully conducted islandwide on the 2nd of November, under the leadership of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Ministry of Health, with the aim of promoting early detection of breast cancer, one of the most commonly reported cancers among women in Sri Lanka, and raising public awareness about the disease. Awareness and screening programmes were organized at several Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices across the districts represented by women Members of Parliament. The programmes were attended by women Members of Parliament, including Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.In Sri Lanka, approximately 17 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, with around 6,000 new cases reported annually. Furthermore, more than 1,000 deaths occur each year due to the disease, equivalent to approximately three lives lost every day.Breast cancer can be completely cured if detected at an early stage. However, delays in seeking medical treatment due to fear, embarrassment or a lack of awareness have been identified as major challenges.All women should become familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts and carry out regular breast self-examinations. If any unusual changes are detected, it is important to seek medical advice without delay.Early detection increases the chances of successful treatment. The government healthcare system provides free screening and other essential healthcare services.In addition, all women are encouraged to attend the Well Woman Clinic and undergo the recommended Pap test at the ages of 35 and 45. This screening helps detect precancerous changes at an early stage, thereby supporting the prevention of cervical cancer.
2026-11-03
A special meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education was held recently at the Parliament Complex, chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, to brief Members of Parliament on the revised National Curriculum Framework and the new education reform process.The meeting was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, as well as a number of experts in the education sector, including representatives of the National Institute of Education (NIE).Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, stated that, in accordance with a Cabinet decision, a National Committee comprising subject experts had been appointed by April 2026 to oversee the education reforms. He further explained that five main subcommittees established under this committee would provide the necessary guidance and direction for the process.He also stated that, in accordance with the Cabinet decision, the new reforms are scheduled to be introduced for Grade 1 in 2026, and for Grades 6 and 2 in 2027. Preparations are currently underway, including teacher training programmes, the development of modules and printing of teacher guides, as well as plans to upgrade digital infrastructure in schools.During the meeting, Director General of the National Institute of Education, Professor O.G. Dayaratne, together with officials from the education sector, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the foundation of the new education reforms, the National Curriculum Framework, assessment methodologies and the proposed implementation plan.He explained that the process had commenced in 2019 and that the National Institute of Education had prepared the National Curriculum Framework in accordance with the new policy approved by the National Education Commission in 2023. He emphasized that the framework was the result of a collective effort involving several institutions. The Director General further stated that the country was introducing education reforms modelled on systems implemented in some of the world's most advanced countries.The Director General of the National Institute of Education emphasized that the fundamental objective of general education should not be limited to producing future workers to meet the demands of the labour market. Rather, it should focus on nurturing holistic and well-rounded citizens enriched with ethics, virtues and values, while developing a future generation capable of building the nation.A shift from the existing content-based education system to an outcome-based and student-centred approach is proposed under the reforms. He further explained that a new assessment framework had been developed to reduce the pressure of rote learning and examination-oriented education. Under this framework, students' progress will be evaluated through a credit-based modular system and continuous assessments conducted throughout the year.Flexible vocational pathways have also been developed to provide students with an understanding of different vocational fields from Grade 6 onwards. These pathways will enable students in Grades 12 and 13 to obtain vocational qualifications up to NVQ Level 4 or pursue higher education.A website named "RIES" has been launched to raise public awareness of the education reforms among the general public, teachers and parents. In addition, an island-wide awareness programme is being implemented in several phases.Addressing the meeting, the Hon. Prime Minister emphasized that the fundamental objective of education should not merely be to prepare children to become future members of the workforce, but also to nurture them into well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens who will contribute to nation-building.She also pointed out that decisions regarding challenges arising during the implementation of the reforms should not be based solely on personal perceptions or opinions. Instead, such decisions should be guided by scientific research and evidence.Members of Parliament who participated in the discussion raised questions and shared their views and proposals regarding the education reforms.It was further emphasized that the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, without any divisions or differences, were essential to the successful implementation of this important national undertaking.The meeting was also attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, Hon. Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Director of Legislative Services Mr. Jayalath Perera, and several other officials.
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