UNP wants ruling on Tax Bill

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The UNP filed a special determination case in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking the Court’s determination on the Default Taxes (Special Provisions) Bill.

Petitioner UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake filing the petition stated that the provisions numbers 7, 9 and 10 would erode the powers of Parliament and were in violation of the Article 04 and 12 (01) of the Constitution and would require a special majority in Parliament and should be approved by people at a referendum.

The petitioner stated that these Sections vest powers with the Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue to call up past defaulters and impose stringent terms overriding the existing settlements. He stated that the Bill could also grant tax write offs for State institutions which would have an edge over their private sector counterparts and would be in violation of the Article 12 (1) of the Constitution.

The determination of the Court would be communicated to the Speaker.