No extension for Inland Revenue Commissioner General

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Minister of Finance and State Revenue Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday that the service of the present Commissioner General of Inland revenue would not be extended and assured his retirement on March 8.

The Minister also stated that the most suitable person with proper qualifications would be appointed to the post of Commissioner General thereafter.

He also asserted that he would make a detailed statement with regard to the report on the VAT fraud forwarded to Finance Ministry by the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament at the next Parliamentary sitting.

The Minister made this observation responding to a special statement made by JVP Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa alleging that there was a plan to extend the service of the Commissioner General of the Island Revenue Department who is to retire on March 8.

Minister Siyambalapitiya said that the investigation to the VAT fraud is was initiated on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The complaint was made by the Finance Minister. A case against this VAT fraud in progress before the Colombo High Court. There is a proper channel in dealing with such matters.

Making a special statement Wimal Weerawansa said the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Department who is charged for massive VAT fraud of Rs. 3.9 billion should be interdicted and an independent inquiry should be held.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya misled the house by his answer and asked him to answer the question raised by Wimal Weerawansa.