Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of misleading the public by claiming that his government had not introduced any new taxes since coming to power in 2024.
Speaking in Parliament, Perera challenged the President’s recent statement, claiming that the government had introduced three new taxes and increased seven existing taxes.
Perera said the new tax measures included a 15% income tax on service export earnings, an 18% VAT on digital services and a 5% withholding tax on certain professional service payments.
He also highlighted increases in taxes on interest income, capital gains, financial services, alcohol, tobacco and betting and gaming businesses.
Questioning the President’s knowledge of the changes, Perera pointed out that Dissanayake also serves as Finance Minister.
He accused the President of making misleading statements about taxation while the public continued to face financial pressure.
Perera further criticised the government’s economic management, claiming that it had increased the tax burden on citizens while failing to fully utilise the revenue collected.
The remarks follow President Dissanayake’s recent statement that his administration had not introduced a single new tax since taking office and had significantly reduced certain existing taxes. The President also pledged further tax reductions in the upcoming Budget.
Official economic and tax records confirm several changes cited by Perera, including the introduction of a 15% tax on certain foreign-sourced earnings, increased withholding tax on interest and the extension of VAT to digital services. (Newswire)