By Sirisena Perera –
2009, immediately after the end of the war, President Rajapaksa appointed a ten-member Commission to study the country’s tax system and make recommendations to increase the revenues.
The Chairman of the presidential Commission on Taxation 2009, Prof. W. D. Lakshman handed over the final report of the commission to President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Three years have elapsed since then and another Budget is on the offing. The immediate motivation for the appointment of the 2009 Presidential Commission (the 4th since Independence ) was (1) the need to accelerate economic growth and (2) the need to arrest the decline of revenue. According to the Government Information Department, the Commission has been requested to cover all areas outlined by the President to improve the tax system in the country without placing burdens on the people.
The Commission has covered wide areas with regard to the taxation system in the country and has suggested measures to halt frequent changes to taxation.The Commission studied various taxes operational at different levels of Government and proposed ways and means to nationalize such taxes at national, provincial, and local authority level with the view to maximize revenue objectives at each level.The Commission was also to study Customs Tariff recognizing international trade agreements and propose necessary changes.
The International Monetary Foundation (IMF) which granted a US$ 2.6 billion loan to Sri Lanka has urged the government to take measures to broaden the tax base, simplify the tax and tariff systems, and improve tax administration.
Members of the Commission, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. R.H.S Samarathunga, Director General of Customs Sarath Jayatilleke, and Chairman Faculty of Taxation Institute of Charted Accountants of Sri Lanka Rajan Asiriwatham were also present.
The Chairman of the presidential Commission on Taxation 2009, Prof. W. D. Lakshman handed over the final report of the commission to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Oct 26, 2010. Now we are getting ready for the 2013 Budget. What happened to this Report? It has not seen the day light. Has it been shelved and if so why?
The Government revenue continues to fall. It has been declining since 1977 from 24% of C G.D.P to the present level of 14%. If we are moving away from neo- liberalism, under Mahinda Chinthanya is there a drop in the decline of revenue?
Is this a result of Jayasundara –Cabraal conflict or a result of confusion and indecision brought about by Mahinda Chinthanaya?
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Panda / August 14, 2012
The Rajapaksa regime makes a big show of starting investigations, and making a big splash about how prosperous the country is, but it is all an eye wash. This report is typical of how investigations and reports go. It is simply to placate the international community, and show Sri Lankans, how honest and forthcoming this government pretends to be, but at the end of it, NOTHING comes out of it. It just fizzles away.
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Desilva / August 14, 2012
APPOINT RAJAN ASIRWATHAM AS THE FINANCE MINISTER TO OVERLOOK THE CENTRAL BANK, AND GET RID OF THE THIEF CABRAAL. HOPE ASIRWATHAM IS STRAIGHT & HONEST AND WILL MAKE THE BROTHERS LISTEN TO HIM AND HIS ADVICE.
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gamini / August 14, 2012
DeSilva, I am sorry to inform you, your proposition of Rajan Arsiriwatham as Finance Minister and replace Nivard Cabral at the CB will not necessarily bear fruit as Rajan Arsiriwatham is not the forceful person to resist, of all the Rajapaksas, judging from his track record as the head of KPMG.
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kk / August 16, 2012
Desilva, Don’t suggest the things without knowing the facts
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gamini / August 17, 2012
Hang the Immunity status of the President, A Bill should be brought to hold the President Accountable and be dealt with accordingly for wasting Public Funds in this manner. The President’s Office should be held more Responsible and Accountable for the Public, but not allow to be lackadaisical as this. This type of President is not suitable to be entertained as even a janitor in a President’s Office, leave alone as President.
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rukshan / August 30, 2012
the tax commission report has submitted to the hon. president while the tax administrators and tax appeal commission members combination to protect corrupted officials in the field of tax by as follows.
01) they neglected there act and the normal proceedings
02) they intentionally call for interviews with having short time gaps and leave the office or close their offices before the schedule time. ei. before 16.45
03) no attention to hear apple with having wide knowledge in the filed
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rukshan / August 30, 2012
the tax commission report has submitted to the hon. president while the tax administrators and tax appeal commission members combinatly act to protect corrupted officials in the field of tax by as follows.
01) they neglected there act and the normal proceedings
02) they intentionally call for interviews with having short time gaps and leave the office or close their offices before the schedule time. ei. before 16.45
03) no attention to hear apple with having wide knowledge in the filed of tax
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