Pubudu Jagoda of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has criticised the government’s tax policy, alleging that large companies and wealthy taxpayers are receiving significant concessions while ordinary families face a heavy indirect tax burden.
Citing a Daily FT report, Jagoda claimed companies operating through the Board of Investment had received tax concessions worth around Rs. 276 billion, while Rs. 9.58 billion in VAT and about Rs. 20 billion in income tax had gone uncollected during the first quarter alone.
He further claimed that multinational investors could receive nearly Rs. 1 trillion in tax concessions during the year, while unpaid taxes attributed to domestic businesses had reached around Rs. 961 billion.
Jagoda contrasted this with taxes imposed on goods and services, claiming an average family had paid around Rs. 41,146 in such taxes during the first six months.
He also questioned the government’s priorities, citing concerns over child malnutrition, school dropouts and the continued taxation of food and school supplies. (Newswire)