The government should have a high tax revenue through local alcohol production and imported alcohol production, but due to the various fraudulent tricks carried out by the alcohol manufacturing companies, the government is not entitled to the required tax revenue in the same way, and even though high officials have been informed in this regard, proper steps have not been taken, in excise duty. The opposition leader also said to investigate the high officials and reveal who are the thieves who are depriving the country of tax revenue. Sri Lanka Latest News
The opposition leader said that at a time when the government is imposing direct and indirect taxes on the people of the country in the name of strengthening the economy, without looking into such incidents, the government is putting more tax burden on the common people who pay taxes and oppressing them. As with the increase in the electricity bill, the government should look into the tax money that is being lost through fraudulent activities in the excise sector.
Also, opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa said that even though people are taxed to increase the government’s income, they have lost more than 50 billion in illegal concessions given to alcohol companies.
The leader of the opposition said this today (7) in Parliament under Standing Order 27 (2) while questioning the government’s arbitrary tax policy.
The opposition leader said that although a law was brought in 2019 to affix a sticker certifying that taxes have been paid for locally produced and imported liquor, during the Mendis Company’s time, they have committed this sticker fraud in one lakh bottles and lost 300 lakhs and they are asking what legal measures have been taken against them.
Also, the opposition leader had questioned that even on January 18, 2023, even though the Excise Commissioner had been informed about the fake stickers, no action had been taken and what action had been taken against him. Moreover, the opposition leader said that although beer licenses are given on the recommendation of MPs with the aim of promoting tourism, beer licenses have been given even near temples in areas where tourism does not operate and some people have even violated the law of the country and obtained more than 2 such licenses. .
The government is afraid of liquor companies
The opposition leader said that the government hesitated to tax the liquor companies even though the professionals were taxed heavily and besides, they were afraid to enforce the law against tax evaders and fraudsters. And that the amount due from the non-paying liquor companies should be collected immediately.
Friends got together and did sugar tax fraud
Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader, said that he wants to know detailed information regarding the tax revenue of 100 crores lost due to the sugar tax fraud and that no formal action has been taken in this regard until now because of the support of those companies to win this government he added.
