The Supreme Court (SC) has informed that several clauses in the Finance Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told Parliament a short while ago.
The SC has examined provisions of the Bill and determined upon the suggested amendments to Clauses 4(1), 5(1), 5(2), 5(3), 5(4), 5(5), 6(1), 7(1), 12(b). 13(1), 14 and 20 as well as the deletion of Clause 17 in its entirety being effected, neither the Bill nor any of the Clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.
Clause 17, which the SC has recommended be deleted in its entirety states that "Any assessment under the provisions of Nation Building Tax Act, No. 9 of 2009 or Economic Service Charge Act, No. 13 of 2006 shall not be issued in relation to a taxpayer, under the provisions of the respective law, on or after January 1, 2021."
In the circumstances, the SC has observed that if the aforementioned clauses of the Bill are amended as mentioned in its determination, the Bill can be passed by a simple majority in Parliament.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Commodore (retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.
Leave Comments