President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the government has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revise the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, addressing a key public concern. He assured that relief measures would be implemented promptly following further discussions.
Speaking at the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” victory rally in Eheliyagoda, the President stated, “With the appreciation of the rupee, the cost of goods can be reduced, allowing us to provide relief to the people. This is the path we must follow.”
He acknowledged that income tax has become a significant issue and confirmed that a basic decision on revising it has been made. Both the government and the IMF have submitted proposals, and once a common approach is agreed upon, relief will be extended to the public.
The President also criticized opposition leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for making unrealistic promises about tax reductions and easing burdens. He warned that their proposed policies could result in severe shortages of essential supplies such as gas, fuel, and medicine, repeating past crises.
IMF Paye Tax Ranil Wickremesinghe
Last modified: August 29, 2024
