Parliamentary Debate on VAT Today

The Parliamentary debate on the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill will get underway this morning.

The VAT Amendment Bill was presented before Parliament by the Leader of House Minister Lakshman Kiriella on the 4th of October.

The government presented the Bill to increase the Value Added Tax rate from 11 to 15%. However four petitions were filed against the VAT amendment Bill at the Supreme Court and delaying the process in parliament.

The four petitions were submitted to court by MPs Udaya Gammanpila, Sisira Jayakody and Bandula Gunawardene and an Attorney.

The group requested the Court to issue an order stating that the Draft Bill is illegal. The petitions were considered by a three member bench comprising the Chief Justice and subsequently the determination was forwarded to the Speaker of House.

Accordingly Deputy Speaker of House Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday announced the Supreme Court determination on the VAT Bill. The Deputy Speaker announced that the Supreme Court has determined that the Value Added Tax Amendment Draft bill tabled in October is in line with the constitution.