VAT Amendment Bill meeting this afternoon

Party leaders will meet at 4. 30 P.M. today to discuss the Supreme Court decision on the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill.

The Supreme Court in delivering its determination to Parliament today, held that the VAT Amendment Bill had not adhered to procedure when presented to Parliament, and was thereby considered null-and-void.

Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament said the Supreme Court determination contravened an order made previously by former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike.

He said however, that the VAT Amendment Bill would be reintroduced to Parliament.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called for a special meeting with Party leaders to discuss the issue of the VAT Amendment Bill, after the Supreme Court delivered its deliberation.