China gets Colombo 7 prime land free of tax

By Chandani Kirinde-Sunday, February 03, 2013

On an order by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the sale of 122 perches of prime land in Horton Place, Colombo 7 to the Chinese embassy has been exempted from taxes normally levied for the sale of property to foreigners.

Under the provisions of the Finance Act, when there is a transfer of ownership of property within Sri Lanka, a tax equivalent to the value of the property is charged from the transferee if more than 25 per cent of its ownership goes to a person who is not a citizen of Sri Lanka.

The Colombo 7 land transfer to the Chinese embassy has also been exempted from another provision which prohibits the sale of property below the value specified by the Chief Valuer.

The order made by President Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning said the relevant sections in the Finance Act would not apply to the transfer of the land and premises located at No. 112, Horton place, Colombo 7.

Kamal Haasan threatens never to step in TN

South Indian actor-filmmaker, Kamal Haasan, said he could be forced to look for a secular State overseas and even change his passport, if the final verdict on his film Vishwaroopam was not in his favour, Indian media quoted the actor as saying at a press conference.

Stating that he was “fed up,” Haasan said, “If there is no secular state in India, I would go overseas. I think Tamil Nadu wants me out. What would change is my passport; I would still be an Indian. I have pledged all my property for the film. I have lost my house because of delay in release, so I have nothing to lose, but choose now,” the 58-year-old told reporters.

He said he is likely to face bankruptcy for the third time in his life.

“I am fed up. I am an artist. I will have to seek a secular State for my stay... secular State from Kashmir to Kerala, excluding Tamil Nadu.”

Hassan said he had pledged his entire property for the making of the film and that he had informed his creditors that they can attach all his property, if the film did not recover its Rs 100-crore budget beyond a certain given date.

The actor said he had been apolitical all his life and always encouraged minorities.

“I have confidence in myself. My arrogance is over my straight-forwardness.”

Meanwhile, talks have begun in Chennai Friday to break the deadlock over the release of the film Vishwaroopam.

The meeting is being attended by representatives of Muslim organizations, Chandra Haasan, Haasan’s brother, and the State Home Secretary. Commissioner of Police, S. George, was also present.

The Muslim leaders representing the Federation of Muslim Organizations and political parties met the Home Secretary of Tamil Nadu and submitted a letter expressing willingness to participate in a dialogue with Rajkamal Productions. They have insisted that actor Kamal Haasan be a part of the talks.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had said yesterday she would broker peace between Haasan and protesting Muslim groups.

Haasan has ruled out moving the Supreme Court for now, saying he would wait for the Madras High Court’s judgment next week while trying to find a solution through talks.