The controversial Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was approved by the House with 112 voting for and 46 against the Bill.
Several amendments moved to the Bill by Joint Opposition (JO) members meant to reduce the tax further from medical services were rejected by the Government.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who took part in the debate earlier in the day said that government expects 1.8 billion rupee income this year from the revision of (VAT.
He said the Government had set as target Rs 10 billion as revenue from the VAT revision in 2016, but it was later reduced to Rs 6 billion when decision was taken to impose it after five months with effect fromMay 2.
He said VAT has been imposed on post and telecommunication, liquor and tobacco to exempt health and housing sectors and smart phones but the Government has exempted many essential goods from VAT.
(CK)
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the suspect in the rape of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura teaching hospital has been identified as an army deserter and he will be apprehended shortly.
Police have arrested the suspect connected to the sexual assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital today morning in Galnewa.
The Dutch Public Prosecutor suspects two companies of paying bribes in the construction of hospitals in Sri Lanka, according to an investigation by FD, the Dutch financial newspaper.
The Minister of Power, Kumara Jayakody, stated that in the future, internationally funded projects, such as power projects, will only be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements and competitive procurement.
The Government today tabled in the House the Report of the Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme.
Israel, a major player in the global diamond and jewellery trade, has invited Sri Lankan gem and jewellery businessmen and designers to collaborate with Israeli diamond traders.
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