Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, announced his intentions to introduce amendments to the existing Sports Act, aiming to tackle prevalent issues within sports associations in Sri Lanka.

During an event hosted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, Minister Fernando highlighted sports associations as a significant challenge for the Sports Ministry, emphasizing the hindrance they pose in addressing players’ concerns.

Expressing his commitment to resolving cricket-related matters, he stated, “I have been entrusted to resolve this cricket issue.”

Furthermore, Minister Fernando referenced provisions within the Anti-Corruption Act that enable severe penalties for cricket-related corruption, mentioning the possibility of a 10-year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 200 million for offenders.

Comparing governance structures, he cited Pakistan’s practice where the Prime Minister appoints the President of their cricket board, underscoring that such appointments fall within their sports law, making them beyond the jurisdiction of the ICC’s political interference claims.

In addition, Minister Fernando expressed optimism about the imminent lifting of the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket by the ICC. He lamented the loss of hosting rights for the Under 19 World Cup, emphasizing the missed opportunity for further tourism industry development through the event.

On December 1st, WHO, in collaboration with various communities and partners, will observe World AIDS Day 2023, themed “Let communities lead.”

Dr. Nishan Gunarathna from the National STD/AIDS Control Programme shared that 485 individuals tested HIV positive in Sri Lanka during the initial 10 months of this year. Notably, 79 cases were detected among individuals aged 15-24.

Highlighting the current scenario, he estimated that approximately 4,100 people in Sri Lanka are living with HIV, with 3,033 of them having registered at Sexual Health Clinics for necessary treatment and care.

HIV, a virus that weakens the body’s immune system, can progress to AIDS if left untreated.

Dr. Gunarathna emphasized that Sexual Health Clinics offer rapid, anonymous, and free-of-charge tests, delivering results within 15 minutes. For individuals hesitant to visit the clinics, self-test kits are available for discreet testing.

To access additional information regarding HIV testing and related services, individuals can visit www.knowforsure.lk. This initiative aims to promote awareness and accessibility to testing options for those concerned about their HIV status.

The Department of Examinations has officially announced the release of the 2022(2023) G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination results, made available last night (Nov. 30).

Candidates can access their results through the official websites: www.doenets.lk / www.results.exams.gov.lk, as specified by the department.

Additionally, the Department has declared that applications for re-scrutinization of the results will be accepted between December 14 and 18.

Conducted from May 29 to June 08 this year, the examination spanned 3,568 centers across the island, accommodating a total of 472,553 candidates.

Further enhancement of showery condition is expected over the island due the low-pressure area existing in southeast Bay of Bengal.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces. Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Eastern province and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts. 

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in other provinces of the island after 01.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers may occur in Southern province during the morning too.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Colombo (LNW): An official from the Ministry of Finance has stated that the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill will render agricultural machinery, equipment, and chemical fertilisers previously exempted, subject to VAT.

However, agricultural seeds, plants, shrimp feed (excluding poultry feed), and animal feed will remain exempt. The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) raised concerns about the impact on the domestic agricultural and food industry.

Dairy products, including liquid milk and eggs, will also become VAT liable. Nevertheless, wheat, wheat flour, powdered milk, pharmaceutical products, and drugs will be exempted.

The Committee questioned the imposition of VAT on food products made from locally cultivated grains categorised as “Posha,” given the rising concern of child malnourishment.

Ambulances, medical equipment, fertiliser, and certain agricultural items were also discussed. The Committee granted approval to the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, with the condition that the Ministry of Finance incorporates proposed amendments. The Committee urged a reassessment of VAT exemptions for medical equipment, ambulances, fertiliser, and high-protein agro foods.

The Committee clarified that VAT changes will not affect UBER and PickME fares significantly, as these services have included VAT since their inception. The proposed VAT changes will result in only a 3 per cent increase in fares.

The Committee also considered the Finance Bill to amend the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018 and the Finance Act, No. 12 of 2012, addressing provisions for releasing motor vehicles imported into Sri Lanka not cleared from customs due to import restrictions or non-payment of taxes.

Due to issues arising from importing and opening LCs post the suspension of motor vehicle imports, the Committee instructed the Ministry of Finance to submit a report on 119 imported vehicles yet to be cleared from customs. The Committee approved the Imports and Exports Control Act related to Gazette No. 2353/16.

Colombo (LNW): The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has informed that driving licences, which were delayed due to printing issues, will be issued within the next six months.

DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha explained that the delay in printing driving licences was caused by the unavailability of printers.

However, he announced that the department received three printers on Monday, ‘allowing them to resume the printing of licences.

Highlighting that the department is set to print nearly 900,000 driving licences, Anuruddha mentioned that although issues related to importing licence cards were resolved, a significant challenge was the shortage of printing machines.

With the arrival of three additional printing machines, the DMT Commissioner General stated that printing activities would resume this week, and they anticipate completing the printing of all driving licences within the next six months.

Colombo (LNW): The current Inland Revenue Law necessitates the submission of the annual income report for the assessment year 2022/2023 (from April 01, 2022, to March 31, 2023) to the department by November 30, officials from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) said.

Non-compliance will result in a fine of Rs. 50,000 and 5 per cent of the tax payable for individuals maintaining tax files without meeting the deadline.

This information was communicated during a workshop held in Parliament on Monday, organised by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis. The workshop focused on the completion of the annual income report and online submissions to the IRD, with contributions from departmental resources.

Chaired by Committee Chair MP Gamini Waleboda, the workshop was attended by state ministers, MPs, and parliamentary officials. The IRD was represented by Senior Commissioner Sujeewa Senadheera, Senior Deputy Commissioner Nandana Kumara, and Senior Deputy Commissioner M.H.D. Meneripitiya.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the provision of income reports under the current income tax law and the consequences of non-compliance.

Practical demonstrations were provided on completing the income report through the IRD’s website and submitting it online to the department’s computer system.

MPs engaged with the officials, seeking clarifications on potential issues arising during the report submission process.