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| Sunday, 26 May 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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VAT
to push up Shell Gas prices?
by Pelham Juriansz The price of Shell Gas cylinders could increase in the near future due to the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT), it was revealed at the Shell Gas Shareholders' Forum in Colombo last week. With the VAT coming into effect in July, the price of a gas cylinder would probably increase, company officials said. There is no tax on kerosene. The company has written to the Minister of Finance calling for the tax on gas to be reduced. Crude oil prices have also escalated since the Middle East conflict. Due to fluctuating prices, an actual figure cannot be given as to the future, they said. Speaking at the Forum, General Manager Shell Renewables Lanka Ltd. Dinuk Fernando said that due to the growing demand for electricity and the fact that only 51 per cent of Sri Lankans have electricity, it is imperative that we use solar power. Fernando said: "We have two million houses in Sri Lanka and six million householders using this electricity. Solar energy is the only viable option in our opinion to solve the existing power crisis. We have set up 17 solar centres in Sri Lanka in places like Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Matale and Kurunegala and employed 147 staff members and 237 field agents. Solar power has been very successful in Sri Lanka. We do this in partnership with SEEDS (Sarvodaya Economic and Enterprise Development Society). "We have a special scheme for farmers during the Yala and Maha seasons. Some of our success stories have been in the Uva Provincial Council. The World Bank, in partnership with Shell and the Uva Provincial Council, has donated Rs. 10,000 per solar system and has promoted this scheme. "Shell's future plans include providing solar electricity to light up every home in Sri Lanka, which is now using kerosene for the purpose. Kerosene is not very safe and many accidents have occurred due to its usage. We hope to venture into the North East market as well as we see the potential there." Steven Bartholomeusz, Corporate Communications Manager of Shell Companies in Sri Lanka spoke on the 'Bright Ideas' and 'LIVEWIRE' schemes introduced to help young entrepreneurs with their ventures. The company has conducted half-day workshops in the Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces as a means of reaching out to the rural youth. Shell LIVEWIRE will give awards to the Best Young Entrepreneur based on the best business plan. If the entrepreneur runs a successful business and has a good business plan and has the potential to succeed, he or she could receive an award which is given on a regional basis. "This year we have received 50 applications and the first prize winner will receive Rs 200,000 with the second and third prizes being Rs 75,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively," he said. The independent panel of judges will include members of the chambers of commerce (Sabaragamuwa). The national final will take place in August. "The LIVEWIRE programme is active in 15 countries and is entirely funded by Shell International," Bartholomeusz said. |
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