Presidential Secretary Calls for Urgent Relief on Heavy PAYE Tax Burden

Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has called for urgent action to alleviate the significant burden imposed by the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax on the public. Speaking at the 21st Annual General Conference of the Association of Inland Revenue Commissioners in Colombo, he emphasized that the current situation requires swift correction and that urgent reforms are essential to provide relief. Dr. Kumanayake specifically noted that the lower-middle class is disproportionately affected by the tax and suggested that collection rates should be reduced. He also highlighted the need to develop Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department to meet international standards.