Organization of Professional Associations

Questions and Answers

Re Duty free vehicle permit for Non Resident Sri Lankan

Question: I have been a non resident Sri Lankan for over 20 years with a brief interruption of one half years. I left Sri Lanka in March 1986 and returned to the Island in August 2005, Left Sri Lanka again in March 2007 and working in the Gulf till date.

During the last tow decades I have remitted my earnings through legal channels in foreign currency to Sri Lanka and converted into SL Rupees at frequent intervals and still continue to do so. In addition remittances were done directly in SL Rupees through legal channels as well.

I have been made to understand that as a Non Resident Sri Lankan I could import the vehicle which I have been using on my return to Sri Lanka. The setback in the Gulf is that the vehicles are left hand driven and importing the same vehicle used by me after converting to right hand drive is costly and may not be as good as factory fitted vehicle.

Under the circumstances can a non resident Sri Lankan import a vehicle for private use with duty concession based on the foreign exchange remitted? I am aware that with a minimum deposit of US$ 50,000 for Nation Building Bonds a vehicle permit can be obtained for 20% value of the deposit.

I have no savings for that amount, and I am unable to build up a deposit in the near future. Considering the remittances brought into the country can I as a non resident Sri Lankan request for a concessionary duty car permit for personal use.

Your response from the authorities published in the paper for the benefit of all non resident Sri Lankan is very much appreciated. Moreover, I shall be thankful if a copy of the published article is emailed to me as I am unable to read the Daily News on a regular basis.

- Surath De Zoysa, Sultanate of Oman, [email protected]

Answer: We checked with the Government department concerned. According to them there is no duty free or confessional duty for import of vehicle by any Sri Lankan non Resident.

However, you can import for your own use or gift to a relative a used vehicle for which duty will be charged on a depreciated value. For this purpose you can import a used vehicle which is less than 3 1/2 years from date of original registration which need not be in your name.

Alternatively, you can import a vehicle which is five years old provided it has been registered in your name for a at least 1 year. Similarly, a vehicle less than 10 years old provided it has been registered in your name for minimum 3 years. You cannot import a left hand drive vehicle unless you get it converted to right hand drive.

Change of Name for EPF, ETF

Question: I am an employee attached to the Mahaweli Security Force and have received EPF and ETF Membership. My name in these two funds is different from the current N.I.C. I am using. My surname was not in the original N.I.C. I used when I joined the service. How can I get this changed in the above two funds.

- Rajakaruna, Ginigathhena

Answer: You have to make a request from your employer so that he will address the Labour Commissioner in your area with necessary details. The Labour Commissioner will communicate with the EPF and ETF to change your name in this file.

University lecturer post for a Sri Lankan - Non Citizen

Question: I am a Sinhalese by race and a university educator. Although I was born in Sri Lanka, technically I have no Sri Lankan citizenship.

My education qualifications consists of Doctor of Business Administration, Ph.D in Education, Master of Leadership and Management in Education (Hons), Master of Financial Management, Master of Education (Curriculum and Teaching), Master of Commerce (Finance), Graduate Diploma in Finance from Australian Universities and I obtained B.Ec (Hons) from Sri Jayawardenepura University and Graduate Diploma in Economic Development from the University of Colombo.

I have published four text books in English and also published more than 200 academic articles in overseas journals. I am good at English and Sinhala and also can read and write Tamil. I can teach in both languages Sinhala and English.

I would like to retire from my current job university teaching in overseas and engage in university teaching in Sri Lanka as a service to the country where I was born.

I am qualified with content studies and pedagogical studies. Could you please advise me, is it possible to work in a University of Sri Lanka as an overseas citizen without Sri Lankan citizenship.

- Edward Theophilus

Wanigasekera, Australia.

Answer: There is nothing to prevent you from being considered for the post of a lecturer in one of the Sri Lankan Universities. You should forward your application to the Chairman University Grants Commission at No. 20, Ward Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.

Also you can directly respond to the universities when they advertise their vacancies on the Web as and when you find the subject suitable for you liking. Of course first preference will be given to any Sri Lankan Citizen who is suitably qualified for the same post.

Why don’t you consider obtaining dual citizenship which will cost you USD 2000.

College of Chemical Sciences

CCS Advanced Diplomates in Chemistry:

The Northumbria University (in Newcastle-on-the Tyne, UK) has recognized the two year Advanced Diploma in Chemistry awarded by the College of Chemical Sciences as adequate to proceed to Northumbria to carry out one more year’s study there and obtain a B.Sc. Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry.

Ms. Rosalind Martin, International Projects Manager at Northumbria University formally handed over the letter of recognition to Professor J.N.O. Fernando, Hony. Dean of our College at a ceremony held at Adamantane House recently in the presence of Dr. Nandanie Ediriweera, I.Chem, C.President & other I.Chem.C./CCS Staff, Officials & Officers.

Also present were Falim Shakoor representing the British Council and Messers Nizam & Ali from the Business Management School, which is the Sri Lankan representative for Northumbria University.

The Northumbrian recognition is the very first opportunity through which two years successful pursuit of our Advanced Diploma (which is mid-way in our four year Graduateship Programme) is accepted in lieu of the first two years study in the UK to obtain a three year B.Sc. Hons. Degree.

The consequent economic advantage of obtaining a University degree from UK after just one year’s study there is quite apparent. A special feature of the Northumbrian degree programmes is reported to be its high employability.

Seminar

An OPA seminar on prescribing drugs using generic/brand, names will be held at 5 p.m. on January 18 at the OPA.

Representatives of medical, dental, veterinary and pharmaceutical associations, the pharmaceutical industry and other interested persons will be participating. The seminar is open to the public.

Send your questions

“The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) will cover questions in an professions and subjects of common interest to the public in the “Daily News OPA at your service” page every Thursday.

Please make your question brief. Questions can be directed to the OPA on e-mail,[email protected] or [email protected], Fax: 2559770 or write to the Professional Centre, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.