LTTE announces tax relief measures

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 December 2003, 13:36 GMT]
At a press briefing held at the office of the Thamileelam Police at Pallai Sunday morning, Head of the Financial Division of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. Thamilenthi, announced that a list of essential materials including books, magazines, agricultural inputs, animal feed, boats, outboard engines, fishing gear, candle and camphor would be exempted from tax with effect from January 1st next year, sources from Pallai said.

Head of Thamileelam Police Mr.P.Nadesan and administration office head Mr.P.Devanesan attended the press briefing.

Meanwhile, tax on several other items which included tea, selected categories of milk food, coffee, dry fish and materials made of aluminum, silver and galvanized products have been reduced.

However, current tax on imported rice, chicken meat and egg has been increased to promote local production of these items, Thamilenthi said.

“We lose one hundred million rupees annually due to the proposed tax exemption and reduction. But these measures have been taken to assist the people to enhance their employment opportunities and their economic development,” said Mr Thamilenthi.

Tax will not be imposed on articles brought by persons who come to reside permanently in Thamileelam and government servants who have been transferred to the northeast. The current tax exemption will continue on items such as computers for educational purposes, ordinary milk food and relief materials brought by government departments with prior permission and by the non-governmental organizations, it was announced at the press briefing.