Friday, 18 July 2014 00:01
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By Jeevan Thiagarajah
Sri Lanka consists of varying types of communities, religions, cultural and traditional systems; survivors of conflict, disasters, disparities generated from persistent poverty and vulnerability. There are calls for more concerted and broader efforts to reach those whom are vulnerable and may not be able to express themselves because of their vulnerabilities.
The Government is guided by three Constitutional features for the establishment of a just and free society. Namely, Directive Principles of State Policy in the enactment of laws and the governance of Sri Lanka. These Principles make Rights claimable under the Fundamental Rights Provisions, while Article 28 on Fundamental duties makes it a duty of every person to work conscientiously in his chosen occupation and to respect the rights and freedoms of others.
Notions of human security involve protecting people from critical and pervasive threats and empowering people to take charge of their own lives. Human security emphasises that people must be protected when facing sudden and profound reversals in economic and social life. In addition to “growth with equity,” human security is equally concerned with “down-turns with security.” In the absence of safety nets, people face critical and pervasive in-securities in situations of sudden downturns.
Poor and disadvantaged people do not make use of laws, rights and government services because they simply do not know about them. Those who are subject to grievances cannot seek remedy unless they are aware that such a remedy exists. Needs when voiced and addressed empower people. Empowerment expands people’s capabilities and choices.
Cooperation improves inter-communal interaction; enhances equity in terms of income, capabilities and opportunities; ensures sustainability meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to be free from poverty and deprivation; generates income security where citizens are free from threats such as disease, repression or sudden harmful dislocations in their daily lives.
Non profits work within this canvass.
The Government has a pro-poor tax remission policy for NGOs. It provides for interventions in poverty alleviation, underserved regions and communities; provision and facilitation of infrastructure and livelihood means including activities that meet basic needs of people particularly targeted at rural communities; management and protection of natural resources; enhancement and value added component for quality of life and increased levels of income of those in poverty; assistance to vulnerable and institutionalised children and those differently abled.
CBSL anti-money laundering filters apply for inward remittances to non profits whilst post 9/11 anti- terror laws have some bearing when seen from a global context. Principles of various UN Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guide our internal processes.
Non profits are formed and mostly registered through Acts of Parliament, Trusts, as CBOs, Societies, Associations, with the Registrar of Companies or the Registrar of NGOs or willed in Estates of individuals.
Entities which can benefit from the tax exempt policy of the GoSL would largely be registered with the Registrar of Companies and are NGOs. However not all non-profits are NGOs and the distinction must be understood in debates about NGOs and mandates.
