United Republican Front leader Patali Champika Ranawaka has accused the government of taking a hostile stance toward the IT and digital services sectors, after using these very professionals and creators for its election campaign.
Ranawaka claimed that the government is now preparing to attack these industries, despite previously relying on them to propagate its political agenda.
Speaking at a media briefing recently, Ranawaka expressed concern over the government’s selective approach to taxation, noting that while they hesitate to impose corporate taxes on large companies, they are targeting the creative community.
He further alleged that the government’s actions suggest a desire to weaken the IT and digital industries, particularly after their mismanagement of the green energy sector and their association with the “diesel mafia.”
“The government has been discussing this tax on services provided to Sri Lanka by large tech companies since 2023,” Ranawaka said.
“However, the issue arises because these companies do not have representative offices in Sri Lanka. Despite this, the government is insisting on levying taxes on these companies for services they provide to Sri Lanka, ” he added.
He also pointed out that the Asian Internet Organization had endorsed the idea of imposing VAT on these companies, arguing that it would create a fairer system for digital service providers in the country.
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