Sri Lanka Customs has claimed that restrictions imposed on the import of goods including the suspension of vehicle imports are an impediment for it to achieve the revenue targets set out in the annual budget.

Sri Lanka Customs officials made this claim while appearing before the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans.

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans met under the chairmanship of Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage to discuss the contribution of Sri Lanka Customs in order to increase the revenue of the government.

The Chairman of the Committee, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said that a sum of Rs. 1,226 billion is expected as income of Sri Lanka Customs in this year’s budget and only Rs. 330 billion have been received during the first five months.

He had pointed out that Customs will face difficulties in achieving the target when considering the figures for the first five months.

The Department of Communications of Parliament said during the meeting Customs official had said the expected income cannot be reached until the import restrictions including the ban on the import of vehicles are in place.

Under the said situation, they predict that the income that can be obtained this year is Rs. 783 billion.

Officials had pointed out that the Ministry of Finance has also been informed about this.

Moreover, they had statistically pointed out that about 20 per cent of the revenue received by Customs is from the taxes imposed on the import of vehicles and until the restrictions on the import of vehicles are in place, this expected revenue cannot be reached.

Furthermore, officials had claimed that the highest tax revenue from 2014 to 2022 was collected in the year 2018 and it was Rs. 923 billion.

They had indicated that 2018 tax revenue includes a sum of Rs. 194 billion generated through taxes imposed on the import of vehicles.

According to Customs officials, if the ban on vehicle imports is lifted this month, within the next six months, they will be able to collect Rs. 150 billion in taxes.

Officials have also pointed out the possibility of importing vehicles under a credit line system with another country and that it is the best way to increase the customs revenue.

The Chair of the Committee had said that since discussions have already started on this matter, the government is working to take an urgent decision regarding the import of vehicles.

The “Illegal Assets Investigations Division” of the CID has obtained a statement from social media activist Sepal Amarasinghe.

The statement was linked to the a case filed by himself, Oshala Herath and Attorney-At-Law Namal Rajapaksha, against Manju Nishshanka, who is said to be the leader of the political movement – Global Sri Lankan Congress.

Sources from the CID state that statements are also to be obtained from Oshala Herath and Attorney-At-Law Namal Rajapaksha in this regard.

Oshala Herath had initially given a statement to the CID while Manju Nishshanka too was summoned to the CID today (13).

Chinthana & Prof. Rohan goes to CID!

Meanwhile, The ‘Radical Centre’ platform today (13) filed a complaint with the CID alleging that the media stations ‘Derana’ and ‘Hiru’ as well as websites ‘Madyawediya’ and ‘Dasatha Lanka’ have been publishing news with regard to the incident of Natasha Edirisooriya in a manner that incited religious violence.

Professor Rohan Samarajeeva, social activist Jayani Abeysekera and political analyst Chinthana Dharmadasa had filed a complaint on behalf of the ‘Radical Centre’ platform in this manner.

Noting that these media have attempted to depict Natasha’s comic art as an insult to Buddhism, the ‘Radical Center’ adds that they have been repeatedly publishing edited bits of the act with the intention of inciting racism and religious violence.

They urge the CID to take legal measures against such media who are engaged in a planned process to bring back the racism in the country.

Through this complaint, they have requested that the law be implemented against these channels which are engaged in a planned process to incite racism and religious violence in the country.

(Video: VoiceTube)

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High Commission of India in Colombo, its cultural arm Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Colombo, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Consulate General of India in Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy will organize a series of events across different parts of Sri Lanka to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from June 17 – 21, 2023.

A mega public event under the theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ would be held at the Independence Square in Colombo on June 17, 2023 from 06.45am onwards to mark the Day.

Participation in the event, which is being held in collaboration with various partners including the Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka, is free for the public.

On June 21, the High Commission will organise another yoga event at the Port of Colombo.

In a media release, the Indian High Commission further notes :

Yoga enthusiasts will be connected from the ‘Arctic to Antarctic’ as a special initiative of the 9th edition of IDY. This year, Yoga will be performed on select port locations across the world forming a ‘Global Ocean Ring’. Connecting people the world over in a common pursuit of wellness, IDY 2023 resonates with the theme of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam i.e.  ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’

To inculcate Yoga as a physical and mental wellness routine among the Sri Lankans, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre launched a 50-day run-up to IDY 2023. Since 01 May 2023, SVCC, in collaboration with government institutions, yoga organisations and local partners, has been organising Yoga events, workshops, lectures, demonstrations for different age-groups and professions. Some of the highlights of this campaign include yoga workshop for doctors of indigenous medicine, a yoga session at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds and an ongoing 3-day island-wide workshop for defence forces.

It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, piloted by India in 2014, proclaiming  June 21 each year as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of the co-sponsors of the resolution.

Yoga, like Ayurveda, forms a part of shared heritage of India and Sri Lanka. Indian diplomatic offices in Sri Lanka have been celebrating International Day of Yoga with the participation of the Sri Lankan leadership and public since 2015 with great fervour. Average footfall for the event over the years has been in thousands. There was also enthusiastic participation at the virtual events held in 2020 and 2021 in the wake of Covid-19, and in 2022 at the Independence Square in hybrid mode.