The Ministry of Labour has taken a policy decision to object to the Articles included in the Surcharge Tax Bill to impose a 25% levy from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.
Addressing Parliament yesterday (09), the Minister said the Ministry’s decision has been conveyed to the Treasury and the Commissioner-General of the Inland Revenue Department.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa in this regard, Minister de Silva said his Ministry rejects the proposal.
Stating that the Articles are inaccurate and need to be rectified, the Minister said if a new Gazette has been published in this regard then it must be taken up for debate separately.
Responding to the Minister, the Opposition Leader said he too objects to imposing a levy on ETF and EPF, adding that he will not allow the Government to steal the hard-earned money of the public.
The Opposition Leader further accused the Government of engaging in daylight robbery by taking the public’s money for petty investment projects. (NewsWire)