Official donations for IDP relief and resettlement to be tax free

The Government yesterday declared that all official monetary donations towards relief and resettlement operations for IDPs will receive tax free treatment.
The Central Bank in an announcement said Sri Lanka is on the threshold of a new beginning. The brutal terrorism that hindered the country’s development for almost three decades has been eliminated completely from its soil and the country is in the process of a reawakening. A large number of reconstruction activities have already been initiated by the Government. Simultaneously relief operations are underway to restore the lost opportunities in the regions.
The Government of Sri Lanka, as well as the Central Bank, has received a number of requests inquiring of the possibilities of contributing towards the relief and resettlement operations initiated by the Government for those people displaced from their regular places of living due to the situation that prevailed in the country.
In response to this, and on the request of the Government, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced special account to receive voluntary contributions from interested parties towards the relief and resettlement operations.
All such contributions will be collected at the special account maintained at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, for and on behalf of the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka. Funds available in this account will fall under the direct authority of the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury (DST) and the DST will utilize these funds for activities relating to identified relief and resettlement operations.
All contributions to this account are exempted from Sri Lanka income tax under section 34 (1) b of Inland Revenue Act. All contributions to this account exceeding US dollars one hundred or its equivalent will be acknowledged by the DST upon the realsation of such amounts. No contributions in kind are accepted.
Accordingly, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka wishes to inform the public that arrangements have been made to receive foreign currency and rupee donations to the Fund A/c. No. 4237 maintained at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka through SWIFT, Telegraphic Transfers, Bank Drafts, Cheques and Money Orders and credit cards.
A special web window is now opened at Central Bank website www.cbsl.gov.lk for this purpose.
On-line Donations
Facility has been provided in the Central Bank website, www.cbsl.gov.lk , for those who wish to make donations on-line through VISA and MASTER Credit cards.
Direct Remittances (SWIFT and Telegraphic Transfers)
All direct remittances can be forwarded to the accounts given below in respect of the following currencies:
a) US$ A/c No. 04015541 with Deutshe Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, US. A/c. name: Deputy Secretary to the Treasury –Relief Fund for IDPs (SWIFT Code – BKTRUS33XXX)
b) “Euro A/c. No. 5040040828 with Deutsche Bundes Bank, Zentrale, Frankfurt, Am Main De, (SWIFT Code: MARKDEFFXXX)”
c) “GBP A/c. 0151060001400 with Bank of Ceylon, London, GB (SWIFT Code: BCEYGB2LXXX)”
Other Modes of Payments (Cheques, Bank Drafts, Money Orders)
Those who wish to send their donations can forward Cheques or Bank Drafts, Money Orders by hand or by post, drawn in favour of “the Chief Accountant, Central Bank of Sri Lanka on A/C of IDP Relief Fund (DST A/C -4237)”.
All such remittances and any correspondence in this regard should be addressed to The Chief Accountant, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, No. 30, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01. Sri Lanka Telephone:- +94 112 477 153, Fax No.:- +94 112 346 264, E-Mail - ca@cbsl.lk