MP Shanakiyan shines a light on electricity tariff hike
…The officials of the PUCSL were brought to the Presidential Secretariat and approval was obtained for the price hike while both the chairperson and the director general of this commission were away from the country…what the PUCSL has said is to increase a unit [of electricity] from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 [for the lowest tariff band]. But today, it has been increased from Rs. 8 to Rs. 30.
ManthriLK_Watch | February 24, 2023
Posted on: 23 March, 2023
True
State Minister Siyambalapitiya’s tax paying labour force numbers don’t work
Only 120,965 persons or 2.6 percent of the labour force, who are earning over Rs.100,000 per month, are subjected to the PAYE tax.
Daily Mirror | February 11, 2023
Posted on: 16 March, 2023
False
President right on reduction in registered tax files
In 2019, there were 1.5 million income tax files in total…when we abolished the PAYE tax, in December 2021, we [only] had 400,000 income tax files. It reduced from 1.5 million to 400,000.
President’s Media Division | January 28, 2023
Posted on: 9 March, 2023
True
AKD mistakes disparity in total economic activity as disparity in individual participation
Today, 36% of our country’s national wealth is generated from the Western Province. The North Central Province’s contribution to our country’s national wealth is 5%. The contribution of the North Western Province is 9%. The benefits of the economy flow to the people to the extent that they participate in the economy… The rural poor have not got a chance to join the economy.
Aruna | January 26, 2023
Posted on: 2 March, 2023
Partly True
State minister Siyambalapitiya short on facts on import shortages
…It is because this step was taken [ban imports on certain items] that essential items such as fuel, medicine and fertiliser can be imported without any shortages…
Newswire | January 26, 2023
Posted on: 23 February, 2023
False
President directs attention to low direct taxes
In other countries, most of the taxes are collected from a higher income bracket. In 2021, in India – 50% direct tax…Bangladesh – direct tax 32%...Nepal – direct 31%....69%. Indonesia – direct tax 40%...Vietnam – direct tax 31%...Thailand – direct taxes 37%...Malaysia – direct tax 66%...However the situation in our country is different. In 2021, our direct tax was 21% while indirect was 79%. We should take action to rectify this tax divergence. Then, the tax burden on the general public will be reduced.
The government’s policy statement from the President’s Media Division | February 8, 2023
Posted on: 17 February, 2023
True
Patali -True on SL’s uneasy equilibrium, false on fuel bill savings
…the current normalcy in the country is at a low-level equilibrium. This is an uneasy equilibrium.... Our normal [monthly] fuel bill stood at US $ 550 million. It has now been cut down to US $ 200 million…
Daily Mirror | January 12, 2023
Posted on: 13 February, 2023
Partly True
Siyambalapitiya hugely magnifies fiscal difficulties for holding LG elections
In 2022, the government’s revenue and expenditure difference were as high as 256% or Rs. 3,058 billion. [In 2023] The government expect the revenue to be Rs. 3.45 trillion, while the expenditure will go up to Rs. 10 trillion, incurring a deficit of Rs. 6.66 trillion for the year. Thus, financial discipline is indispensable to run the economy.
Daily FT | January 21, 2023
Posted on: 2 February, 2023
False
Minister Wijesekera: Overstates one of the most pessimistic scenarios of the already overstated loss scenarios of the CEB
If we are in a situation where there is no rainfall, provided that we are able to obtain all the coal we need by April, we would be able to provide electricity all 24 hours of the day, without interruptions…That means, as a whole, our generation cost is Rs. 889 billion. From that, we receive only something like Rs. 400 billion.
Parliament Hansard | November 25, 2022
Posted on: 27 January, 2023
Partly True
MP Abeysinghe unrealistic on revenue estimates being unrealistic
…The [2023] budget presented this time is seeking the highest revenue in the entire history of Sri Lanka. Compared to last year, this year’s revenue shows an increase of 70%. In Sri Lanka, at no point has the revenue increased from year to year by more than 10%, 15% or 20%.... In the history of Sri Lanka have we ever generated a revenue figure that is in the range of LKR 3,000 billion? Every year, the revenue generated has been less than LKR 2,000 billion….
Parliament Hansard | November 21, 2022
Posted on: 20 January, 2023
False