Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-05-11 21:41:00
8 January 2024 07:18 pm - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The 'New Wings' organization held a protest in front of the Fort railway stations in Colombo today against the recent increase in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 18 percent with the intention of increasing state revenue to more than Rs. 4 trillion by the end 2024 and the Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) system introduced by the Government. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Tissa Fernando Monday, 08 January 2024 09:28 PM
They do not want taxes but they want freebies. Who is going to pay for these freebies. They have no idea on that. Do they think that international community will fund your extra luxury life style with lavish parties, increase drug and alcohol consumption, lavish weddings, useless unproductive protests, stopping work and finding out reasons for that, etc, etc. Then you vote for the crooks again and again and then blame them too.
Gt Monday, 08 January 2024 11:56 PM
You must be talking about politicians, vat hits even the poorest people who are already suicidal, just so ranil can please imf and get more loans to stash away or spend on politicians luxury lives
Gt Monday, 08 January 2024 11:56 PM
You must be talking about politicians, vat hits even the poorest people who are already suicidal, just so ranil can please imf and get more loans to stash away or spend on politicians luxury lives
DD Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:06 AM
"Tissa! Tissa! Are you talking Gibberish, man? Can't you see the governing politicos changing the goalposts during the match? My government says they can't reduce expenses from the budget. They won't downgrade from BMWs to bullock carts to save money. Instead, they're doing the opposite. They want to tax ordinary people to keep living their luxurious lives at the expense of the citizens. Hey, honey, do you know where my Jack Daniels Black is?
Tilan Monday, 08 January 2024 10:11 PM
Seem to be all persons who want to live free off the government coffers without wanting those coffers to be replenished!
Phase out Pension too Tuesday, 09 January 2024 06:04 AM
You are spot on. Feel it’s not emphasised in school how the government should actually be getting its funds. Most think through loans. Also, pension should be phased out
Priyal Monday, 08 January 2024 10:13 PM
Nice actors it seems including the fisherman and the wheel chair patient. lol
DD Monday, 08 January 2024 10:25 PM
Great enthusiasm in the protest! Folks, do you remember who supported and raised their hands for VAT? Lie low for now, and when your chance comes, let's vote to sweep them all out from DIYAWANNAWA.
SLEx Monday, 08 January 2024 11:37 PM
Great enthusiasm for what? Learning to live off govt subsidies? Our people will never get better if they keep getting handouts. Living a comfortable life is something every man and woman must work for all around the world. If you want alms, become a monk. Stop asking hard working peoples tax money to be lazy and incompetent. Abolish free higher education and provide scholarships for the smartest kids in school. Everyone else should be given interest free student loans with tough rules to ensure they give back to the society. Follow most developed nations and university students will actually study instead of doing politics.
Ram Tuesday, 09 January 2024 01:10 AM
Taxes will never make a country prosperous. taxes will ruin a country and this is said by WB representative in a you tube presentation that is circulating
Wise up in your comments Tuesday, 09 January 2024 01:27 PM
Than who’s gonna to pay the free education, free hospitalisation etc? Is it Taking loans
Mahila Tuesday, 09 January 2024 04:07 AM
These cunning guys are protesting, because, with the introduction of TIN to ALL citizens, so that they declare their income and Pay Taxes on their earnings for a Living, above a minimum THRESHOLD, have no escape but pay taxes!!! Even so-called Beggars who amass lot of money and hoarded, including savings accounts in Banks!!! Unlike earlier, you declare voluntarily, because the government has found that Sri Lankans, wouldn't do it voluntarily, even to save their Mothers!!!??? They are one and all, displaying the VILLAGE CUNNINGNESS of their beloved leader, who prevailed on the MP’s as “FIRST AMONGST EQUALS”, NOT to DECLARE the annual WEALTH RETURN to SEC –GEN Parliament Secretariat!? Very revealing anyone could obtain those details from Parliament!? “CROOKS OF DIFFERENT LEVEL” following their LEADER!? Elect them - STARVATION bout awaited!?
Gune Tuesday, 09 January 2024 04:54 AM
There are two sides to this. These folks do not understand that governments can't provide handouts everyday without having any income. These folks are also very happy to pay any amount to tuition masters without any questions, but do not want to pay anything to schools. Very selfish. Because SL does not have tax payers, you all have suffered. If you do not want people to pay taxes, go and question people who do lavish weddings, drive luxury cars and send children to tuition classes. Ask them where they get the money from. Have you ask the tuition masters any questions?
MD Tuesday, 09 January 2024 05:31 AM
They voted for Politicians who bankrupted the country. Now they do not like the medicine. If not the IMF then we are bankrupt with no hope. There is not other solution. Useless time wasters.
Phase out Pension Scheme Tuesday, 09 January 2024 06:10 AM
Pension scheme must be phased out. Will ensure productivity as one needs to build up the EPF during younger days. Consult countries who have phased them out
Nimal Tuesday, 09 January 2024 07:25 AM
What a nice photograph of a pin president who can do nothing else but heap heinous burdens on the people of this nation to pay for his sins and pilferages in managing the economy of the country and of course, those of his comrades in arms, the jarapakshas and their stooges.
Arjun Silva Tuesday, 09 January 2024 07:55 AM
So sad to see hwo some people are so ignorant when they cant see that teh country was robbed and due to also ineficincies teh public has to pay for this. IT look some are OK for this. As long we have these types of bulls thsi country will not go froward
Percy Wijenayake Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:06 AM
Everyone wants to be a Mahattaya, and enjoy the handouts from rich countries. Get out of laziness and work hard to revive our economy. Obviously, do it your self shops are a nonentity. A good enterprise for a business person to start. Something on the lines of 'Bunnings' chain in Australia. The IMF, VAT and Inland Revenue must keep at it.
Adwani Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:19 AM
Gota stole from reserves as much as possible and made SL begging and protesting nation.
Fahim Mufakkir Fahim reasons Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:20 AM
** My Perspective on the Current Tax Situation and future political stability** In my view, the existing tax situation is unrelated to the IMF, and it's crucial for individuals to disregard the guidance of the 225 parliamentarians, conducting their independent analysis. Examine the substantial funds injected into large, unprofitable government bodies and assess the potential revenue reclamation from them. Revamping these institutions within the current administrative framework is unfeasible due to financial constraints. The borrowed funds funneled into these unyielding entities significantly contribute to the nation's financial insolvency. Although full privatization may result in job losses, a balanced approach is essential. Allocating a minimum of 40% ownership to employees, 40% to local private firms, and 20% to foreign investments could collectively address the existing debt and transform these entities into profitable ventures.
Percy Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:23 AM
If you visit Sri Lanka you will see the country is booming, lavish weddings, Hotels, Restaurants packed, fabulous Christmas decorations, roads with plenty of cars causing traffic jams. The prices are comparatively similar to Australia. No way is the country a underdeveloped one. I am proud of the country.
Fahim Mufakkir Fahim reasons Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:24 AM
cont.. This strategy fosters employee engagement as owners, encouraging dedication and contribution to institutional recovery while providing additional income through owned shares. The government should cease business operations, proposing a share in net profit and taxes instead. A comparable idea, originally suggested by a participant in an Advocata discussion, advocates a balanced ownership model. Unfortunately, the concept was briefly presented, and the individual was not given ample opportunity to elaborate further. Despite my request to Advocata's head for more information and a repeat discussion with public involvement, no response has been received. It is imperative to recognize that conducting elections without rectifying the deficit-ridden government institutions and transitioning to a more participatory system in the constitution will exacerbate financial debt and political instability.
Fahim Muffakir Fahim reasons Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:25 AM
, My Perspective on the Current Tax Situation and future political stability** Why do politicians, activists, and organizations like Advocata and the media avoid discussing the crucial need to address unprofitable government institutions before elections and constitutional changes for increased public participation? The silence on this matter raises pertinent questions about the broader agenda.
Be Fair Tuesday, 09 January 2024 08:26 AM
Govt has to take steps to educate the misguided youth on TAX. Likewise the Politicians also need to be REHABILITATED, so that they can serve the country and not themselves
A nizam Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:32 AM
They voted for the rajapakshas and RW. Now they don’t want to pay taxes but what everything free. Don’t want to work but want big bonuses.. next go and vote for the JVP cos they will give you everything free… the country is a joke because the people are a joke!!!
kaveen Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:42 AM
Any Govt. cannot give anything free that they cannot take from someone
sarath Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:43 AM
so these guys want to go back to Gota's days of ques and shortages
Lucky Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:43 AM
TIN is NO WIN for us and must be changed . Catch the crooks and the BIG time Tax evaders and Not the small man by harassing him with the TIN .
Lucky Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:43 AM
TIN is NO WIN for us and must be changed . Catch the crooks and the BIG time Tax evaders and Not the small man by harassing him with the TIN .
Lucky Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:43 AM
TIN is NO WIN for us and must be changed . Catch the crooks and the BIG time Tax evaders and Not the small man by harassing him with the TIN .
sunil Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:43 AM
everything and everyone should be taxed. There is no such thing called a free lunch
Need to erase free lunch Mind set Tuesday, 09 January 2024 10:50 AM
Absolutely but seem that’s the culture of SL which needs to be erased. All want easy way out
Quintus Perera Tuesday, 09 January 2024 11:35 AM
Appropriate proportional taxation is essential for any country! Those who are behind these protests must explain the alternative for earning the funds necessary for the essential services. The MPs and the benefits given to them are a burden to the country, but it is negligible when compared to the benefits given unproductive and unwieldly government sector employees. Most of these people are there because they supported the political parties that came to power following the respective elections! The postal votes of any election tells the story. Parties which oppose privatization and advocate that giving jobs is the government responsibility, if come to power, will further destroy this country. We have generations of people nurtured by the tuition system who have been trained to answer questions by memorizing answers! These people have been trained not think and thereby become the fodder for clever politicians.
Saiyo Tuesday, 09 January 2024 12:18 PM
Medical, drugs and education expenses must be tax deductible.
SENIOR CITIZEN Tuesday, 09 January 2024 01:13 PM
HOW CAN SENIOR CITIZENS PAY VAT WHEN THE FD RATE IS 9%? NO INCREASE ON FD RATES BUT WE ARE TAXED ON THE MEAGRE BALANCE WE HAVE
Seniors to be subsidised for Essentials Tuesday, 09 January 2024 03:01 PM
I feel for you! This is where the government can give some kind of rebates to seniors in the form of subsidies for daily essential during this transition period. It may take a few years for SL to be self sufficient if corruption
SLEx Tuesday, 09 January 2024 04:51 PM
Should have planned your financials better then. Just to support you, rest of the country needs to pay high rates of interest on loans? That makes no sense. Maybe try investing that money somewhere with better returns. Or work if you have to. Living off government subsidies all these years and still have not been able to save enough money.
mk Tuesday, 09 January 2024 01:19 PM
most people protesting here dont even fall into the income tax bracket.
Dee Tuesday, 09 January 2024 05:26 PM
Those who comment here- open a tax file please! Then if you are so down and out- you won’t have to pay any tax. But for those who sit in an arm chair collecting rent money every month- comment after paying taxes (that’s if you declare proper)
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul
11 May 2024
11 May 2024
10 May 2024
09 May 2024
09 May 2024
