The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today is special: we mark the day when, after three decades of terror, the country was liberated by a war victory. We pay tribute to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for political leadership, to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and to the tri-forces, Police and Civil Security for their service.

¶ 02 We honour the heroic war veterans who gave limb, sight, blood and life—putting country before family. We understand the lifelong pain and trauma borne by families and by children who lost parents to the war. I too lost my father to terrorism; I know that pain. We express our condolences and respect to all such families.

¶ 03 We should not be hesitant to call them “war heroes.” May we never see such a cruel war again; we must ensure it never recurs. Across the island there are victims and affected communities. We must address their issues through reconciliation within our own country—not only through Geneva—building fraternity and a climate of coexistence among ethnicities and religions, thereby safeguarding unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence.

¶ 04 On tax administration, the Government is now trampling democracy by criminalizing lapses by individuals, institutions, businesses and entrepreneurs—a wrong step. Look at international practice: in Australia, India, Singapore, the US, Germany and the UK, there is a tiered system. They do not make it a criminal act at once; only willful, intentional non-compliance becomes criminal. The business community has asked that intent be considered. Only deliberate acts such as refusing to maintain a tax file or obtain a TIN should, upon proof of intent, be criminalized. Penalties should escalate in tiers. Voluntary disclosures should receive leniency. Filing deadlines should be reasonable; 30 days is insufficient.

¶ 05 Prices of electricity, water and fuel have risen; imported goods and the dollar have increased; incomes have fallen; fertilizer prices have soared; people are moving away from farming. What service has this Government delivered in the last eighteen months? Amid this hardship, you are adding pressure by criminalizing tax non-payment.

¶ 06 This will deter new businesses, new entrepreneurs and FDI, and stall industry and tourism. We are not saying people under the tax net should not pay. They must. But do it to international standards, without violating democracy and fundamental rights. Strengthen the Inland Revenue Department and digitize to improve efficiency, rather than jailing someone who cannot open a tax file on time or is late in paying tax.

¶ 07 Young people want to start businesses. This policy will quash that ambition. Therefore, to at least soften this wrong policy, our Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe will move amendments. At a minimum, include those to make the process more just. Be flexible; do not be obstinate; agree to reasonable amendments.

¶ 08 Once again, we extend our highest homage to the heroic war veterans.

¶ 09 Thank you.