COLOMBO: The Bill entitled “Value Added Tax (Amendment)” passed in Sri Lanka parliament with a clear majority of votes today.
When the Division by name was taken at the Second Reading in 225-member parliament 112 voted in favor of the Bill while 46 voted against. During the vote 67 Parliamentarians were absent. When Division was taken at the Third Reading 76 voted in favor and 23 voted against and the bill passed with a majority of 53 votes.
A majority of the Ministers and the Speaker were recorded absent as they are overseas. Senior ministers Mano Ganesan, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Duminda Dissanayake, Harin Fernando, Rishad Bathiudeen, Mangala Samaraweera and Rajitha Senaratne as well as several Opposition Parliamentarians were absent, according to NewsRadio.
Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday announced to the House that the Supreme Court has ruled that the amended bill on Value Added Tax (VAT) or any of its clauses complies with the Constitution.
The new Bill was drafted after the Supreme Court on 11th July issued an interim order to suspend the VAT increase the government imposed on 2nd May until the relevant legislation is passed by the parliament.
The new Bill is based on the proposals agreed during the round of talks between the Finance Ministry and various groups including political parties. Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers last month approved the Draft Bill.
The Sri Lankan government presented the revised Value Added Tax Amendment Bill before Parliament on 4th October.
