President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the three main institutions contributing to the country’s state revenue — the Inland Revenue Department, the Customs Department, and the Excise Department — will undergo restructuring to enhance their efficiency and encourage tax evaders to comply with their obligations.
Making a special statement in Parliament, the President revealed that he is in possession of a list of 200 of Sri Lanka’s major tax evaders.
“We have strong confidence that the Inland Revenue Department, the Customs Department, and the Excise Department will be thoroughly restructured, improved in efficiency, and positioned to motivate tax evaders to pay their dues,” President Dissanayake said. “I recently received a list of the top 200 major tax evaders in Sri Lanka.”
He further disclosed that the total value of unpaid taxes by these individuals amounts to nearly Rs. 100–150 billion, which he stressed must be recovered.
The President also drew attention to irregular financial dealings involving the country’s two state banks. “There are groups that have placed highly unfavorable stakes in the two state banks. I brought the top 50 cases to review. Upon examination, it became clear that there is a large number involved — including politicians and closely connected businessmen. Billions have been placed in stakes in the state banks,” he stated.
