Colombo, September 18, 2024 – Sri Lanka Customs has strongly denied allegations made by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the presidential candidate of the National People’s Party (NPP), regarding an outstanding tax deficit of 1.1 trillion rupees. The statement came in response to claims made by Dissanayake during a recent television appearance, where he accused the Customs department of failing to collect a significant portion of taxes owed to the state.
In an official statement, Sri Lanka Customs clarified that the actual outstanding tax amount is far lower than Dissanayake’s figure, standing at 58 billion rupees. The department further noted that the bulk of this outstanding sum is owed by 37 government agencies, with only a small portion tied to a private company.
Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis emphasized that the Customs department is on track to meet its revenue target for 2024, which has been set at 1534 billion rupees by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As of the end of August 2024, Sri Lanka Customs has already collected a record-breaking 1000 billion rupees in revenue, marking the highest collection in the department’s history.
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Nonis expressed confidence that the department would achieve its annual revenue target in the remaining four months of the year. He also highlighted the department’s previous success in 2023, when it recorded 975 billion rupees in total revenue, which was the highest at the time.
The Customs department’s robust revenue performance underlines its efficiency in collecting taxes and contributes significantly to Sri Lanka’s financial stability amid ongoing economic challenges. However, Dissanayake’s claims have sparked debate over the transparency of government institutions as the country prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
While Dissanayake has not yet responded to the rebuttal, his remarks have stirred political discourse, with many awaiting further clarification on his stance regarding tax reforms and fiscal responsibility in the lead-up to the election.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the presidential candidate for the National People’s Party, a political movement that has garnered significant support in recent years for its anti-corruption platform and calls for greater government accountability. His comments on Sri Lanka Customs come at a critical juncture, with the country grappling with economic difficulties, including inflation and a need for increased state revenue.
As the election approaches, issues such as tax collection and government transparency are expected to remain central to political debates.
