Government To Exclude VAT From Electricity And Medicine-State Minister Of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena

The government has decided to exclude the Value Added Tax (VAT) from electricity and medicine according to State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

Government has currently also discussing on not to increase the  Value Added Tax on water bills the State Minister has revealed..

However the proposed 4% VAT  increase will be imposed on Telecommunications,Private Health and Private Education sectors the Minister has revealed.

Government has earlier decided to increase the VAT from 11% to 15% with effect from 02nd of May including Electricity,Telecommunications and Health sectors.

However President Maithripala Sirisena has stated that he will not allow to implement any Tax that will be seriously affected the masses.

HEALTH TIP

Health Minister Had Appointed A New Chief Executive Officer To The Independent Drug Regulatory Authority

Minister Of Health,Nutrition And Indigenous Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne has yesterday(19) appointed the former Director of Medical Supplies Division Dr.Kamal Jayasinghe as new Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Independent Drug Regulatory Authority on temporary basis.

As the permanent Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Drug Regulatory Authority Professor Krishantha Weerasuriya had went abroad two weeks ago without getting proper permission from  the Health Ministry frustrated Health Minister has appointed Dr.Jayasinghe for the CEO Post of the authority with effect from yesterday in view of giving a new shape for the Independent Drug Regulatory Authority it has been reported.

Even Health Minister has learnt that the CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority Professor Weerasuriya is in abroad during the meeting of Health Institutions Heads held at the Ministry Auditorium recently.

The Health Ministry has decided to take a disciplinary action against Professor Weerasuriya after he return to the country the Ministry sources have stated.

SINHALA QUOTE FROM THE WEB

President Maithripala Sirisena Has Instructed Authorities To Take Steps To Prevent Illegal Smuggling Of Gold Out Of The Country

President Maithripala Sirisena has yesterday (19) instructed the authorities to take steps to prevent illegal smuggling of Gold from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Police Department and Tri Forces have managed to discover a large scale racket on smuggling Gold which purchased through  tenders organized by state and private banks out of the country in an illegal manner.

President has instructed the authorities at the meeting held at Presidential Secretariat in Colombo to implement a special plan to prevent smuggling gold illegally out of the country with the help of Tri forces and Police.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Puttalam Additional District Judge Has Ordered To Remand 10 Suspects Of A Treasure Hunting Case Until 22nd Of April

The Puttalam (In North Western Province) Additional District Judge has today(19) ordered to remand 10 suspects including the former Deputy Chairman of Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha until 22nd of April over the charge of   excavating  a Private Land at Wanathawiiluwa to take a treasure .

The suspects had excavated several places  on a Private Land at Morapatha,Wanathawilluwa on 29th of February in view of taking a treasure it has been reported.

The Police had arrested few people involved in the treasure hunt at the land on 29th of February and the former deputy chairman of the Wanathawilluwa Pradeshiya Sabha and few others involved in the incident were later surrendered to the Police.