House passes 5 Bills, 16 listed for next month
Parliament this week approved five of the 21 Bills that were presented to the House on March 8, while the rest will be taken up next month.
On Thursday, Parliament also approved an amendment to the Resettlement Authority of Sri Lanka Act enacted in March 2007, to extend the term of office of the Authority for another three years, which otherwise would have lapsed later this month.
The Authority is entrusted with the task of resettling or relocating internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugees in a dignified manner, as well as formulates and implements a resettlement policy in consultation with the Ministry of Resettlement for IDPs and refugees.
On Wednesday the following four Bills were debated and approved by the House.
The Ports and Airport Development Levy Act was amended to exempt from this tax, any tools, materials, consumables to be used in petroleum related operations conducted within or outside Sri Lanka, or from bonded facility for storage, repairing services, exploration etc.
The Excise Act was amended to give exemptions in respect of obtaining licences for the tapping and drawing of toddy from coconut trees, in keeping with the Budget proposals announced by the President last November.
The Economic Surcharge Act was amended to exclude proceeds from the sale of any organic fertiliser by the manufacturer of such products.
The Telecommunication Levy Act was amended to reduce the 20% rate of Telecommunication Levy to 10% in respect of services provided through Internet/Broadband, to facilitate IT and BPO sectors.
Meanwhile, 11 Bills introduced to the House on March 8, by the Government, have been challenged in the Supreme Court, and their debate in Parliament has been postponed till April 6, when the SC’s determination is expected. Five bills have been referred to the Provincial Councils for approval.
The pending Bills are:
Customs (Amendment) Bill and the Tax Appeals Commission (Amendment) – Grants the right to submit appeals on customs duty and changes in the customs rewards system. Powers of Attorney (Amendment) Bill - Changes in the fees to register or amend Power of Attorney. Value Added Tax (Amend- ment) Bill – Changes in levy Nation Building Tax (Amendment) Bill - Expansion of the Tax to new categories. Finance Bill - Changes in levies under the Motor Traffic Act and exemptions under Tourism Development Levy Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill Notaries (Amendment) Bill - Revising payments Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill - Changes in fees Fiscal Management (Responsibility) (Amendment) Bill, Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill - Exempts applications made under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act and the Betting and Gaming Levy Act. Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill - Increase and mode of payment of fees Marriage Registration (Amendment) Bill - Increase and mode of payment of fees Muslim Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) BillSpecific fees to be paid in cash The Kandyan Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill – Payment of fees