Recover stolen assets before tax revisions: Trade Unions

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, Pubudu Jagoda states that it is not fair to put the tax burden on the people, citing that the Inland Revenue Division, which had stated that Rs. 800 billion of taxed remain unpaid from large companies.

He further pointed out that scams such as the sugar scam have taken place, yet no action has been taken with regard to it, and the taxes have not been reimbursed from the companies which were involved.

Moreover, Jagoda said that the same fate has befallen the coconut oil scam and the garlic scam. He stressed that it is unfair to place a heavy burden on taxpayers without recovering the funds first. 

The Chairman of the Inter Company Employees Union, Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that the Government led by the President is attempting to squeeze the life out of the people. 

"This country is not being built, they are squeezing the lives out of the people. They are trying to starve the people, therefore they should immediately change this tax bill that taxes all government, semi-government and private employees today. We will continue our fight until this is over," he added.