Comments on: Sri Lanka: Supreme Court suspends three environmental levies http://lirneasia.net/2008/12/sri-lanka-supreme-court-suspends-three-environmental-levies/ a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:34:12 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chanuka Wattegama http://lirneasia.net/2008/12/sri-lanka-supreme-court-suspends-three-environmental-levies/comment-page-1/#comment-16761 Chanuka Wattegama Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:58:05 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2999#comment-16761 According to what Divaina and Lankadeepa reported, Environment Ministry has agreed in courts to do away with three tax components. If I remember correctly, they were the only ones challenged. Nobody challenged 2% tax on mobile usage. (correct me, if wrong) In fact, the tax on vehicles can easily be spared now, because all what govt has to do is to increase the cost of taking the emission certificate. According to what Divaina and Lankadeepa reported, Environment Ministry has agreed in courts to do away with three tax components. If I remember correctly, they were the only ones challenged. Nobody challenged 2% tax on mobile usage. (correct me, if wrong)

In fact, the tax on vehicles can easily be spared now, because all what govt has to do is to increase the cost of taking the emission certificate.

]]> By: Rohan Samarajiva http://lirneasia.net/2008/12/sri-lanka-supreme-court-suspends-three-environmental-levies/comment-page-1/#comment-16748 Rohan Samarajiva Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:26:18 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2999#comment-16748 I do not think condolences are in order. The most lucrative and illogical levy has been allowed to stand. Mobiles that reduce the need for environmentally harmful travel will be taxed proportionate to use. If mobiles are seen as causing harm to the environment and the costs of addressing that harm has to be recovered from the user, there should have been a fixed tax on mobiles and batteries. Mr Ranawaka stated his long term agenda during the budget debate. He wants to fully fund the activities of his Ministry using taxes that he himself levies. This is a violation of the Constitution and all principles of good governance. It was the job of the Supreme Court to strike down the unconstitutional law, not the stupid gazettes issued under it. Now the responsibility lies with Parliament to rescind the illegal Gazette. I do not think condolences are in order. The most lucrative and illogical levy has been allowed to stand. Mobiles that reduce the need for environmentally harmful travel will be taxed proportionate to use. If mobiles are seen as causing harm to the environment and the costs of addressing that harm has to be recovered from the user, there should have been a fixed tax on mobiles and batteries.

Mr Ranawaka stated his long term agenda during the budget debate. He wants to fully fund the activities of his Ministry using taxes that he himself levies. This is a violation of the Constitution and all principles of good governance. It was the job of the Supreme Court to strike down the unconstitutional law, not the stupid gazettes issued under it.

Now the responsibility lies with Parliament to rescind the illegal Gazette.

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