Four money Bills before House again

The four financial bills Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara declared were not duly passed when they were put to a vote previously, are likely to be brought before Parliament when it meets again in October. Party leaders will decide the date when the Third Reading of the four financial bills can be taken up.

The Speaker told Parliament on Friday that he would certify only one of the five controversial Bills aimed at raising taxes as the four others could not duly complete the Committee Stage as required to make them valid pieces of legislation.

The four Bills which will be put to a re-vote are the Finance (Amendment) (No 257) Bill, Regional Infrastructure Development Levy (Amendment) Bill, Excise (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill and the Special Commodity Levy Bill.

The Bill pertaining to the increase in the Mobile Telephone Subscriber Levy rate from 2.5% to 10% as well as a Rs. 50 fixed charge per month payable by every person who is liable to pay this levy was certified by the Speaker.