Opposition politician Pubudu Jagoda has challenged the government's tax approach, arguing that major corporations receive substantial exemptions while ordinary families bear increasing indirect tax burdens.
Pubudu Jagoda of the Frontline Socialist Party has publicly questioned the government's taxation framework, contending that the system disproportionately benefits large enterprises and wealthy interests at the expense of ordinary households. According to Jagoda's claims, companies operating under Board of Investment status have obtained tax relief amounting to approximately Rs. 276 billion, while the government failed to collect Rs. 9.58 billion in VAT and roughly Rs. 20 billion in income tax during the first quarter of the year.
The political figure further alleged that multinational corporations could potentially access nearly Rs. 1 trillion in tax concessions annually, while outstanding tax obligations from domestic enterprises total around Rs. 961 billion. By contrast, Jagoda stated that average families have paid approximately Rs. 41,146 in indirect taxes on goods and services during the first six months of the year.
Jagoda has used these figures to highlight what he describes as misaligned government priorities. He referenced concerns including persistent child malnutrition, rising school dropout rates, and the continued taxation of essential items such as food and educational supplies. His remarks, which drew on reporting from the Daily FT, reflect broader political debate surrounding tax equity and the distribution of fiscal burdens across different segments of Sri Lankan society.
