IRD to suspend work

17 August 2010 08:19 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Olindhi Jayasundere

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) which accounts for 52% of the country’s revenue will stop all its functions throughout the country tomorrow in protest against the government’s failure to take action against the brutal attack on M.H Denzil, the Matara Deputy Tax Commissioner which took place last week.

The Joint Committee of Trade Unions of the Inland Revenue Service said that the main and regional officers of the IRD through out the country will stop all their functions tomorrow with the employees taking sick leave, and the department will take further action on Wednesday by quitting all of the department’s field work which accounts for more than 50% of the departments functions.

“The IRD Deputy Commissioner of Matara was openly assaulted in a bus a week ago. He was thrown on to the floor of the bus, kicked and punched with knuckle dusters. If the authorities are not taking action against the culprits who did this, how can we be sure that this won’t happen to us? We are taking these measures to ensure the protection of all Inland Revenue Department officials,” member of the Inland Revenue Service Union, H.A.L Udesiri said.

Head of the Inland Revenue Staff Officers Association, Sarath Abeyratne said that only 3% of the population in Matara and Hambantota pay taxes and that investigating their files can easily be done. “Despite this, they have not yet looked into the files. The fact that they have done such little gives us reason to believe that there might be some political influence attached to this incident,” he said.

“We have given orders to the Matara IRD office to ensure that there is no replacement for Mr. Denzil since after all his position is not safe. If they continue to remain idle without taking action then we will take further measures. It will have a serious impact on the country but this is what we will have to resort to in order to be heard,” Inland Revenue Deputy Commissioners, Sarath de Costa said.

Abeyratne said that they have informed the President, who is the Minister of Finance, the Deputy Minister, Treasury Secretary and other officials but that they have not responded to the incident at all. “If they do not care about the people then we cannot do our work because we are too afraid to. IRD officers have been threatened and assaulted in the past but never to this extent. This type of violent behaviour could continue not only in our department but in other institutions as well,” he said.

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Comments - 22

Lam Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:25 AM

IRD workers should be tied for not reporting to work

Geronimo Tuesday, 17 August 2010 01:49 PM

Good. Gives me some more time to submit my Tax .!!eturn

PAlitha heenthotuwa Tuesday, 17 August 2010 12:18 PM

Spot on!!

Mr Serious Tuesday, 17 August 2010 11:06 AM

Again a good one.. on the spot!

Mr Serious Tuesday, 17 August 2010 11:05 AM

Totally with you on this bro..

jeena jay Tuesday, 17 August 2010 10:35 AM

lets all of us(tax payers) go on strike too for the horrible service we receive from these hard working govt. officers.

Ajantha Tuesday, 17 August 2010 10:33 AM

Police was busy with attacking protests of opposition. So they are yes men to government. No solution other than protests,

Citizen Tuesday, 17 August 2010 10:30 AM

Even after the war Jaffna (business community) paid a significant tax ! But no return!

Mifaz Tuesday, 17 August 2010 10:01 AM

Very good news for tax payers.

Dinesh Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:48 AM

IRD please go on strike for the next few years !! we the private sector employees are with you!! Jayawewa !!

Nishantha De silva Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:39 AM

Did they work..?

scrap_metal Tuesday, 17 August 2010 08:33 AM

its really sad to see that some kind of a protest is needed to implement the "LAW OF THE LAND" in this country...

TDDC Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:21 AM

Is their any other Mervins than Kelaniya one?

Sara Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:17 AM

President will not bother about these protest he didn't bother about getting back GSP+.

wedige Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:12 AM

This is Mahinda Chintanaya.

Ethin Eeeta Passe Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:10 AM

MR not worried about inland revenue taxing his own countrymen will drag foreign currency thru a calculated approach.

Ruwan Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:10 AM

Most of the public servant voted for the government which is well ahead of 80% in Matara. Then you must pay for it.

Ishak Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:00 AM

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) which accounts for 52% of the country’s revenue. But I am surprised to see that only 3% of the populations in the Matara and Hambantota district pay tax. However there are huge amount of tax payers money is pumping into those areas. This doesn't look fair to my view.

sw Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:00 AM

Great News some one has to protest where it hurts to show the political king pins that wrong is wrong and not right. Public Servants must serve without fear or favour, Galle Police please make note.

Saradial Tuesday, 17 August 2010 08:56 AM

what a responsible Police Sri Lanka has

Prof. wiki Tuesday, 17 August 2010 08:53 AM

May be they have got a backup for IR as well as for GSP+

Bluff Bluff Tuesday, 17 August 2010 08:43 AM

Individuals who attacked this Government Officer and so many tax evaders will be immensely benefited by such actions!

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IRD to suspend work

Comments - 22

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