Sri Lankan actress Piumi Hansamali and Aura Lanka Chairman T.A.C.V. Thambugala face impending High Court indictments for evading over Rs. 300 million in income taxes, according to the Inland Revenue Department. Charges involve personal and corporate tax fraud between 2022 and 2023, now under the scrutiny of the Attorney General.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Inland Revenue Department informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena on July 31 that indictments will soon be filed before the Colombo High Court against actress Piumi Hansamali and Aura Lanka Chairman T.A.C.V. Thambugala for evading taxes amounting to over Rs. 300 million.
Senior Counsel Dinesh Perera, representing the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, told the court that complete investigation reports into the alleged tax fraud have been submitted to the Attorney General, and the Department now awaits further action for formal prosecution at the High Court level.
According to Perera, Hansamali is accused of failing to pay personal income tax totaling Rs. 194 million for the tax years 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Loliya Pvt Ltd, a company linked to her, has allegedly defaulted on income taxes amounting to Rs. 95 million during the same period.
Aura Lanka Group Chairman Thambugala is also expected to face charges for neglecting to pay his personal income tax obligations, including fines and penalties, which have now accumulated to Rs. 194 million.
The court was informed that these failures to settle tax dues constitute misappropriation of funds meant for the state. Perera highlighted that these offenses are being pursued under Sections 186, 189, and 190 of the Inland Revenue Act of 2017.
A progress report on the tax crime investigations was presented in court on the same day. Additional findings were submitted for review to support the preparation of formal indictments against the accused.
Legal experts suggest that the Attorney General’s forthcoming decision to indict could mark a precedent-setting moment in Sri Lanka’s crackdown on elite tax evasion. Public attention has intensified around this case, given the high-profile status of the individuals involved and the significant tax revenue at stake.
The Inland Revenue Department reiterated its commitment to uphold financial accountability and ensure that no individual or company is exempt from tax law enforcement, regardless of their influence or status.
As of now, the High Court is expected to receive the official indictments in the coming weeks.
