Former LTTE intelligence member abducted

Former head of LTTE intelligence for Trincomalee, “Kalayan” had reportedly been abducted by an unknown group, his wife “Siththara” stated making a compliant to the Human Rights Commission’s office in Trincomalee.

Siththara alleges, that her husband had been abducted on 24 April, in front of the Human Rights Commission office in Trincomalee, after arriving to make a statement regarding several persons questioning him the previous (23) night. She further added that her husband had recently returned from India.

Govt. seeks investor For SriLankan Airlines

The government is calling for proposals from interested parties to enter into a business venture with the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

The Finance Ministry has already been instructed to call for expressions of interest for investment in the national carrier or enter into a partnership.

The national airline has accumulated debt to the tune of $ 3.5 billion (Rs. 460 billion), an unbearable burden to the country’s economy, he said.

“If we don’t solve the issue of debt in SriLankan Airlines now, the airline will go bankrupt, the country’s economy will collapse, and our tourism sector will also collapse. This should not be allowed to happen,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

Three papers were passed by the Cabinet regarding the management of SriLankan Airlines; one is to enter into a partnership with the viable business partner.

The options before the government in managing the situation was either to close down the business – which was not entertained, or to enter into a partnership to manage the airline, the Prime Minister said. The government will finance and manage the airline till October this year or until a viable partnership is established. The Finance Ministry has allocated $ 201 million for this purpose, while a further loan of $ 76 million has been obtained with the government signing as the guarantor.

To minimise future losses, SriLankan Airlines has also been instructed to explore the possibility of cancelling the order for four new aircraft.

“We have been informed that the manufacturing of the aircraft has not yet begun, therefore we have asked the airline to see if we can cancel the order,” he said. Special Assignments Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said the government is looking for a large scale airline operator to enter into partnership to support and manage SriLankan Airlines.

Criticising the past government’s decision to terminate the agreement with Emirates, the minister said they are looking for a business partner of similar capacity.

Amunugama also assured that that no SriLankan employee would lose their jobs in the restructuring process.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that this is one of the measures taken by the government to ensure that the country’s economy averts any possible crisis situation in the future.

The government is also planning to establish a separate office in Parliament to deal with all matters relating to state finance, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said adding that a draft bill has been prepared to enable Parliament to gain more control and monitor power on all state financial matters.

“To prevent issues such as SriLankan Airlines from arising in the future we have also drafted an Audit bill. But to manage already existing issues we will have to go into a partnership,” Wickremesinghe said.

More Panama Papers data to be released on May 9

The Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) is scheduled to publish on May 9 the largest-ever release of information about secret offshore companies and the people behind them, based on data from the controversial Panama Papers investigation.

At least three (still to be identified) Sri Lankan companies and their associates are said to be among the data collated by journalists in a massive exposure that has so far led to the resignation of Iceland’s Prime Minister. In Colombo, an advisor to Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka resigned after his name figured in a list of offshore accounts released in an earlier ICIJ probe, but which was carried by local websites a few weeks ago.

In an April 27 announcement, the ICIJ said its “searchable database” will include information about more than 200,000 companies, trusts, foundations and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens, from Hong Kong to Nevada in the United States.

“This release is the next step in our ongoing year-long investigation; ICIJ and its partners will continue to investigate and publish more stories in the weeks and months to come,” it said.

ICIJ said the impact of Panama Papers has been epic. The investigation has led to high profile resignations, including the prime minister of Iceland; triggered official inquiries in multiple countries; and put pressure on world leaders and other politicians, such as Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, to explain their connections to offshore companies. It sparked a new sense of urgency among lawmakers and regulators to close loopholes and make information about the owners of shell companies public, it said.

The data comes from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the top players in the offshore world. It links to people in more than 200 countries and territories. When the data is released, users will be able to search through the data and visualize the networks around thousands of offshore entities, including, when possible, Mossack Fonseca’s internal records of the company’s true owners. The interactive database will also include information about more than 100,000 additional companies that were part of the 2013 ICIJ Offshore Leaks investigation.

ICIJ said it won’t release personal data en masse; the database will not include records of bank accounts and financial transactions, emails and other correspondence, passports and telephone numbers. The selected and limited information is being published in the public interest.

The Panama Papers investigation revealed the secret offshore dealings of world leaders and other politicians as well as criminals and celebrities. It exposed the role of big banks in facilitating secrecy and tax evasion and avoidance. And it showed how companies and individuals blacklisted in the U.S. and elsewhere for their links to terrorism, drug trafficking and other crimes were able to do business through offshore jurisdictions.

In the US, where several states act as tax havens for people from all over the world, President Barack Obama commented on the Panama Papers revelations and said global tax avoidance facilitated by secrecy jurisdictions is “a huge problem.” The president added that “a lot of it is legal, but that’s exactly the problem. It’s not that they’re breaking the laws, it’s that the laws are so poorly designed.” – (Feizal)

Two Colombo school Girls die in train accident

Two students who were injured after a being hit by a train along the Dehiwela railway tracks, succumbed to their injuries last evening, the Police Media Unit stated.

The two students aged 19 from a girls' school in Bambalapitiya, was reportedly attending a party, when the incident took place, the PMU added.

The sources added that the two students had gotten off from their vehicle and attempted to cross the railway line, when they were run over by the train. Residents of the area further added that the two girls had not heard the sound of the train nor the shouting of the people as they were wearing mobile headsets.

The victims have been identified as Sheron Sweleen and Imeshi Yasara, residents of Wallette and Kelaniya. The remains of the victims have kept at the morgue of the Kalubowila hospital and post-mortems are scheduled to be conducted. Dehiwela police is conducting further

Dematagoda Chaminda’s Financial Controller arrested

Thamindu, who is said to be the main financial controller of underworld leader Dematagoda Chaminda, was arrested with Rs 1.5 million and 5g of heroin worth Rs 125,000 by the Walana Anti Vice Squad yesterday at Narahenpita.

Thamindu is said to be in possession of a 168-page book, which details how the revenue, earned through Chaminda's drug business, should be distributed.

A top Police officer involved in the investigations told that the book contained the official ranks of several Prisons Department officers.

Police investigations had also revealed that following the arrest of Dematagoda Chaminda last November, Thamindu had been entrusted with the task of managing the drug trade.

Police added that 84 pages of the book are in code.

Geetha Kumarasinghe to participate in Joint Opposition May Day rally

Galle District MP and the SLFP organizer for Bentara-Elpitiya electorate Geetha Kumarasinghe today said that she will participate in the May Day rally organised by the Joint Opposition in Kirulapone.

Kumarasinghe said that threats of disciplinary action will not deter her from taking part in the joint opposition rally likely to be held under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Kumarasinghe went on to say that she had reliable information that over 40 UPFA parliamentarians have already decided to participate the Kirulapone rally.
She also predicted that a large group of her supporters will attend the joint opposition May Day rally and added that already 20 buses have been obtained to transport them to Kirulapone.

However 7 out of 10 SLFP electoral organizers in the Galle district have announced that they will take part in the SLFP May Day rally held in Galle. They are Shan Wijeyalal, Chandima Weerakkody, Nishantha Mutuhettigama, Manusha Nanayakkara, Piyasena Gamage, Sajin Vass Gunewardene and Gunaratne Weerakoon.

Meanwhile Akmeemana SLFP electoral organizer Dr.Ramesh Pathirana and Ratgama organizer Mohan Silva are likely to join Kumarsinghe at the Kirulapone rally.

Gammanpila challenges IGP to arrest Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila yesterday challenged the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara to arrest Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan to show his impartiality when implementing the law.

He was addressing a press conference at the N.M. Perera Centre in Borella. He said Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan along with several TNA MPs and a group of NGO representatives had forcefully entered an Army Camp belonging to the Gajaba Regiment in Palavipachchan in Kilinochchi on April 16.

He pointed out the Army had lodged a Police complaint in this regard on the same day.

“The IGP speaking to the media after assuming duties said that he was ready to discharge his duties impartially. However, we should judge the IGP not by his words, but by his actions. The above incident is an opportunity for him to show his impartiality.

Sampanthan had entered the premises forcefully, disturbed the duty of army personnel and had stated that the army camp should be removed.

He had noted those lands should be given back to the Tamil people. So far, the law has not been implemented against him despite the Police complaint lodged.

“We challenge the IGP to arrest the Opposition Leader if possible and show that he was true to his words,” he said.

Gammanpila also said that they would make a complaint to the Bribery Commission over a suspicious act of shares trading by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation which led to a loss of Rs 146 million to the Corporation.

“Sri Lanka Insurance in 2011 bought approximately 33 milllion shares of a fish exporting company at a price between Rs 3.90 and Rs 6.20 per share.

However, all these shares were sold by the Corporation at Rs 1.70 per share suddenly on April 18 to an unknown private investor named K.Gajanadan.

Four days after this transaction, the EU ban on fish exports was lifted.

When the Government was repeatedly saying that it intends to get the EU fish ban lifted very soon, why did Sri Lanka Insurance, being another government owned institution,allegedly sell the shares of a company that exports fish to the EU bearing such a huge loss We go before the Bribery Commission, not because of any faith we have in this Commission, but because it is the only legal body to lodge such complaints,” Gammanpila said.

Government is attempting to Burden the people

“Until now VAT was not levied on wholesale and retail trade. However, VAT is levied now for retail trade that has a turnout of Rs.300,000 for a quarter. This means VAT has to be paid if the daily income of a retail shop is above Rs.33,333.00. VAT means Value Added Tax. This tax is levied against the principles of taxation. Value cannot be added when a good is bought and sold. 

A retail shop merely sells goods. Value added means what is added to a thing that is newly produced. Hence, levying tax on wholesale and retail trade is against the principles of taxation. This is a very serious situation,” says the Information Secretary of the JVP Vijitha Herath addressing a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (24th).

Mr. Herath said, “The present coalition government is attempting to burden the people with a new round of taxes to maintain wasteful spending for their high level living. We are holding this press conference to brief the media regarding this act of the government, to reveal the latest bond fraud of the Central Bank and to apprise regarding our May Day demonstration and the rally.

With the dawn of New Year the VAT is increased.

Despite the government proposing in the budget to levy the VAT in several ratios, the Prime Minister said in Parliament that 15% VAT would be levied for all goods and services. The gazette notification regarding this has not been published yet. However, the Ministry of Finance informed the Department of Inland Revenue on 11th April in writing that the VAT that was at 11% should be increased to 15%. Also, VAT has been levied for several goods and services for which VAT had been exempted earlier.

The letter sent by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance R.H.S. Samarasinghe to the Commissioner of the Department of Inland Revenue clearly states every business which has a turnover of more than Rs.3 million in a quarter would come under VAT. Among the services for which VAT was not levied until now were telecommunication service and all telecommunication equipment. Nation Building Tax has been added to electricity. New taxes are levied for education and health services. For example from a telephone bill earlier the Cess tax was 2% and telecommunication tax was 25%. The total tax was 27%.  However, with the new taxation 2% of Nation Building Tax and 15% VAT would be added. The total amount of tax paid would be 44%. The tax for Rs.100 re-load would be Rs.44. Also, 2% more would be added to international calls. When spending Rs.100 for a call the real charge for the call is Rs.56. The balance Rs.44 is the tax burden forced on the people.

This is how the government has burdened the people with tax. When presenting the budget the government said the direct tax that was 20% would be increased to 40% and indirect tax that was 80% would be brought down to 60%. However, what has happened today is that the direct tax levied from those who receive the highest income has come down and due to introducing VAT and other taxes to goods and services the ratio of indirect tax has been increased to 90%.

The government carried out an entirely different thing to what they had stated. The farmer, fisherman, the self employed and all others are being oppressed with a massive tax burden.  The tax burden would fall on people’s heads the day after they commemorate the International Workers day on 1st May. The Minister of Health says the taxes levied from private hospitals and private educational institutes would be spent for the development of the two sectors. This is indeed a falsehood to deceive the people. This would not be approved by the working masses of this country. Also, the JVP demands the government to immediately withdraw the tax that was increased. A building is rented out for the Ministry of Agriculture paying a monthly rent of Rs.20100000 while the Telecom Chairman is paid a monthly rent allowance of Rs. 750000. We condemn oppressing the masses while the government carries out wasteful spending unabated. The people in this country are not prepared to tolerate such a massive injustice.

Until now VAT was not levied on wholesale and retail trade. However, VAT is levied now for retail trade that has a turnout of Rs.300,000 for a quarter. This means VAT has to be paid if the daily income of a retail shop is above Rs.33,333.00. VAT means Value Added Tax. This tax is levied against the principles of taxation. Value cannot be added when a good is bought and sold. A retail shop merely sells goods. Value added means what is added to a thing that is newly produced. Hence, levying tax on wholesale and retail trade is against the principles of taxation. This is a very serious situation.”