Foreign teledrama tax earns millions
The Government has earned a tax revenue of Rs 790 million from the foreign teledramas telecast by local TV stations from 2006 up to April last year, it as revealed in Parliament on Wednesday.
Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardenasaid a tax of Rs 90,000 is levied for the first 30 minutes of each Indian teledrama telecast by local channels.
An additional tax of Rs 15,000 is levied for each additional five minute time to the first 30 minutes.
A tax of Rs 10,000 is levied for the first 30 minutes of English teledramas imported to the country and for each additional five minute additional tax of Rs 1500 is levied.
A tax of Rs 75,000 is levied from other language teledramas imported and telecast here. An additional tax of Rs 12,000 is levied from each additional five minute telecast time.
The tax revenue was utilized to construct the Ranminitenna Tele Cinema village, the minister said.
He said this in response to a question raised by UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.
