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Ranil justifies tax hikes amidst criticism_我的网站

一 |     Colombo, Oct 20 (UNI) Amid growing criticism, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has justified a hike in income tax for both corporates and individuals, saying it was for the greater good of the country and critical to garner much needed financial support from the international community.
In an address to the nation, the President said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with which the government has signed a Staff Level Agreement for a $2.9 billion four-year financial support, advised the need for a surplus in Sri Lanka’s primary budget, the Daily FT reported on Thursday.
“It was agreed to since the country needs the support of the IMF,” he was quoted him as saying.
“It was also decided to increase the country’s income from 8.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent of the GDP. However, it is a difficult task to accomplish immediately, it is envisaged to achieve this by 2026.
"Initially, a decision had to be taken on the manner in which the income is to be increased. Money was printed due to the decrease in income. During the past two years, Rs. 2,300 billion has been printed, resulting in inflation rising to 70-75 per cent and even more in respect of food inflation," he said.
Wickremesinghe said these increases need to be controlled, while securing income. Therefore, during the discussions with the IMF a new tax system was proposed. The IMF informed that even the export industries would be required to pay taxes.
The IMF pointed out that in countries with an export economy, the related industries were liable for tax. The IMF also upheld that Sri Lanka’s primary export economy is based on the plantation industry.
During British rule, taxes were charged from every plantation sector, including tea, coconut and rubber. Therefore, if the country has to move towards that goal, taxes will have to be paid. The export sector has now questioned this aspect and the related concerns are to be submitted to the IMF.
Referring to the issue of higher personal income taxation, the President said the majority of tax revenue was through indirect taxation. The majority of the country’s citizens, even those below the poverty line, had no choice but to pay indirect taxes, the President said.
The direct tax revenue was 20 per cent and 80 per cent has been derived from indirect taxes.
The IMF had reservations in this regard and said the amount of tax obtained through direct taxes should exceed 20 per cent. The IMF noted that otherwise this would not be successful and ordinary citizens would need to pay taxes, the President said.
Therefore, the Treasury and the IMF discussed the possibility of limiting the taxation from those who have an income of Rs. 200,000, which did not materialise. Eventually, this resulted in the decision to levy income tax on people earning over 100,000. This has become a vital concern amongst citizens.
But without this tax system, the desired goal will not be achieved. The agreed goal is to achieve 14.5-15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revenue by 2026, Wickremesinghe said.
If Sri Lanka withdraws from this programme, IMF assistance will not be received. Without IMF certification, the support of institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the countries that have supported financially will not be forthcoming. Then, Sri Lanka will be back to the era of queues, he warned.
In his address, Wickremesinghe also said the Government was ready to implement prudent economic management after successful debt restructuring.
He noted that it was not possible to strengthen the economy without increasing the revenue of the country, which will compel him to reluctantly make tough decisions in order to rebuild the nation.
The President pointed out how in November 2019, the country’s taxes were drastically reduced, reducing the government revenue to 8.5 per cent. This was when the IMF set aside the agreements with Colombo and declared that it was unable to provide the agreed assistance.
"That year the government lost approximately Rs. 600-700 billion as revenue. Simultaneously, the country had to face the Covid-19 pandemic. These issues are the main factors that led to the collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy.
"The country at this juncture is facing a difficult period. Expectedly tough decisions have to be taken during these difficult times. I undertook this challenge when no one else was willing to come forward."
UNI MR。

二 |     北京时间8月21日，詹姆斯离队后湖人众将首次聚餐曝光，东契奇在社媒上晒出全队在自己的家人共进晚餐的画面，湖人众将都面带笑容开心极了。         除了湖人新秀卡尔因参加联盟指定活动无法前往斯洛文尼亚之外，其他球员都来了，他们乘坐私人飞机飞到斯洛文尼亚的首都卢布尔雅那，东契奇抱着女儿前往酒店探访队友，之后安排多辆豪车，带着队友们享受当地的美食。         东契奇晒出大伙相聚的合影，配文写道：首次晚餐。         在湖人全队聚餐的大合影中，东契奇与扎威、范德比尔特坐在一起，里夫斯、布朗尼、瓦塞尔等人坐在另一侧，凯斯勒与队友们聊得十分开心。

三 |          湖人众将迎来斯洛文尼亚四日游，东契奇邀请队友来到自己的家乡进行团建，他承担了所有的费用；据报道，仅仅包机费用就超过50万美元。         据报道，最便宜的包机价格（庞巴迪环球8000型）为每小时18000美元，但这仅适用于每年预订至少25小时飞行时间的客户。考虑到从洛杉矶到斯洛文尼亚的飞行时间，可以估计东契奇单程包机费用约为25万美元，因此来回的价格至少在50万美元以上。         飞机上配备独立休息区、带床的单人卧室、沙发、躺椅和电视，还提前准备了装满斯洛文尼亚特色物品的礼品袋，保障全队长途飞行的舒适度。         东契奇已经和队友们相聚，接下来东契奇将带着队友们参加活动，前往布莱德湖郊游以及在当地打高尔夫，举办私人联谊活动，之后湖人众将将会飞回洛杉矶；东契奇自掏腰包请全队度假，旨在培养默契，拉近队友之间的关系，提前为新赛季做准备。

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Published on:01:27:13