Opposition Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera alleges that it is untrue for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to claim that his government has not introduced any new taxes since coming to power in 2024.
Challenging the President’s statements while speaking in Parliament, the MP stated that since the current government assumed power, it has introduced three new types of taxes and increased seven existing ones. The Member of Parliament stated that these new tax measures include a 15% income tax on revenue from service exports, an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services, and a 5% withholding tax on payments for certain professional services.
Furthermore, he drew attention to the increases in taxes imposed on interest income, capital gains, financial services, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as on betting and gambling businesses.
Pointing out that President Anura Dissanayake also serves as the Minister of Finance, the MP questioned the extent of the President’s awareness regarding these tax revisions. He further alleged that the President has been making misleading statements concerning taxation while the public is already facing severe financial strain.
Additionally, he strongly criticized the government’s economic management, asserting that instead of fully utilizing the tax revenue collected, the government has taken steps to further increase the tax burden placed upon the people. President Anura Dissanayake recently stated that no new taxes have been introduced since he assumed power, and that certain existing taxes have been significantly reduced; he also pledged to provide further tax relief in the upcoming budget.