VAT (Amendment) Bill passed with amendments

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill debated in Parliament yesterday (9) was passed with amendments.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced to the House that the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was at the committee stage and then passed with amendments after the Third Reading. The Bill received 82 votes in favour and 52 votes against. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced to the House that the Second Reading of the Bill was passed. The chief organizer of the Opposition, MP Lakshman Kiriella, requested a division.

The Opposition then requested a division for the Third Reading of the Bill and the Speaker provided the opportunity for it. Accordingly, another division was called for, for the Third Reading.

Accordingly, 82 votes were received in favour of the third reading and 41 votes were received against. The Speaker announced to the House that the Third Reading was passed with amendments.The Value Added Tax (Amendment) and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bills were debated in Parliament yesterday.