By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): The government plans to take over the existing Rs10 billion RAMIS system from the Singapore Company to the Inland Revenue Department owing to its present operation inefficiencies.
This was discussed when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.
The Committee recently visited the Inland Revenue Department and discussed several issues including the RAMIS system.
Accordingly, the Committee met to inquire further into the matter. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was also called before the Committee for the same.
Thus, according to the agreement by the Singapore Company dealing with the RAMIS system, the Inland Revenue Department should take over the full responsibility of the RAMIS system from the coming month of January.
It was disclosed that the internal capacity including the human resources required for this has not been developed in the department.
In such context, the Chair of the Committee, Patali Champika Ranawaka Member of Parliament recommended to the Inland Revenue Department to submit a report in this regard.
The Chair also stated that the report should include a structured proposal for updating the system to adopt the RAMIS system.
It was also discussed that the RAMIS system, which was introduced 8 years ago, is still not fully operational and the Committee expressed their displeasure in this regard.
Another integrated information system to be built by merging 13 government institutions was also discussed at the Committee meeting held.
Several rounds of discussions were held with 13 concerned institutions in this regard and it was suggested that all these institutions should use the National Identity Number as a common code in their information systems.
The chairman of the committee advised to collect relevant information and take steps to prepare a proper data system connecting with the upcoming census by the Department of Census and Statistics.
The Chairman of the Committee advised to prepare a proper data system that the Department of Statistics should take steps in connection with the census to be conducted in the future.
The committee pointed out that related information technology experts can be procured from within the country and stressed the need to maintain such an accurate data system even under a public private partnership.
Also, instead of traditional methods such as sending letters to the taxpayers, the need to adapt to modern methods such as notifying via a SMS or introducing mobile applications (Mobile App) was emphasized.
The Committee Chair also advised to submit a report to the committee about the existing obstacles including the implementation of a fixed tax policy and the relevant legal changes that should take place.
