In a session of Parliament today (01), Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka revealed the government’s plan to generate 600 billion rupees by increasing Value Added Tax (VAT), affecting the lives of 220 lakh people across the country. This initiative comes at a time when the Inland Revenue Department has yet to collect a staggering 1000 billion rupees in unpaid taxes.
MP Ranawaka further highlighted that from January 1st to December 31st of the previous year, the Inland Revenue Department managed to collect approximately 166 billion rupees in defaulted taxes. He underscored the concerning figure of 666 billion rupees in unpaid taxes over the last five years, emphasizing the need for rigorous tax collection efforts.
Providing detailed insights into the tax evasion landscape, Ranawaka outlined the following statistics:
– 90 individuals have evaded more than one billion rupees in taxes.
– 88 individuals evaded taxes ranging from one billion to 50 crore rupees.
– 104 tax evaders fall within the bracket of evading taxes from 50 crore to 30 crore rupees.
– 632 tax evaders have avoided paying taxes ranging from 30 crore to 10 crore rupees.
– A total of 3108 individuals have evaded taxes ranging from 5 crore to 1 crore rupees.
MP Champika Ranawaka raised critical questions regarding the government’s decision to impose tax targets on the entire population while significant tax evasion remains unchecked. He urged for greater efforts to pursue tax evaders and collect outstanding taxes before burdening the general public with additional tax measures.
