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Last Updated : 2024-03-28 20:32:00
Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said yesterday he had requested the Finance Minister to remove the taxes imposed on smart phones in the next budget so as to promote data calls among the users.
He said people in other countries use more data calls than voice calls whereas people in Sri Lanka still use voice calls as they do not have access to enough facilities.
“The use of voice calls in other countries is only 20 per cent. We still use voice calls to a great extent. I requested the finance minister to remove all taxes imposed on smart phones. We are doing a detailed study on this matter and will submit the recommendations for the 2017 budget,’ he said.
When asked about the VAT imposed on mobile phones, the minister said the ministry was hoping to mitigate the impact on the users in the next budget and will submit recommendations on this matter as well.
He said the government had planned to allocate a huge amount of money to improve telecommunication facilities and added that such development plans would not be possible without imposing taxes. (Ajith Siriwardana)
Video by Danushka
ashraf Wednesday, 21 September 2016 07:45 PM
very good idea as I have been overseas I can find people use more on Viber Skype so data package more cheapest then voice calls via DM Android App
maithree Wednesday, 21 September 2016 08:05 PM
Can you remove tax on telephone calls please?
Ghani Wednesday, 21 September 2016 08:45 PM
this so called card is to bring everybody under tax net
r86 Wednesday, 21 September 2016 08:47 PM
Google Harin.. via DM Android App
karu Wednesday, 21 September 2016 08:52 PM
Idea is good, but how can repay the foreign debt loosing the anticipated VAT collection on voice calls.
Ravi Thursday, 22 September 2016 08:35 AM
Very good decision.
Roman Thursday, 22 September 2016 09:09 AM
Its pointless purchasing smart phones due to the poor/ low quality network coverage provided by the so called service providers!! while in India Ambani offers free 4G to one billion people!!
Eds Thursday, 22 September 2016 09:58 AM
First remove tax on our regular grocery items. It's not like we can feed your stupid smart phone to our children
Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 22 September 2016 10:05 AM
Smart Detour! Way forward.
Ahmed Thursday, 22 September 2016 11:56 AM
i will vote for him in the next election
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