Sri Lanka Customs to name and shame tax defaulters, other offenders from June 1

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

Sri Lanka Customs, from June 1, will publicise the names and particulars of individuals and companies that default on tax, passengers arrested for smuggling contraband and those who intentionally violate the Customs Ordinance, on its official web portal.

The decision has been taken with a broader perspective: to discourage those who intentionally evade tax payments, to enforce laws strictly against violations of import and export regulations and to regularise the collection of tax revenue for the state.

Customs spokesperson, Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda, told Mirror Business that this measure would be taken against those who were apprehended for the said violations and fined following a thorough inquiry process.

Customs has also set up a special internal unit to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, under the direction of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The details of those found guilty by this unit would also be published on the website, the official said.

The spokesman further stated that the relevant government authorities could also obtain information, especially concerning the tax-defaulting companies, through this system in future.

This information will be available to the public via Sri Lanka Customs web portal http://www.customs.gov.lk, from June 1 onwards.