The trade unions say that a protest will be held in front of the Ministry of Finance tomorrow (18) against the new special goods and services tax introduced by the government including a number of taxes.
Other trade unions including the Sri Lanka Customs Department, the Inland Revenue Department and the Excise Department are to join the protest.
The Ministry of Finance has decided to administer a number of taxes including liquor, cigarettes, vehicles, telecommunication services, betting and gambling taxes, casino taxes as a special goods and services tax and to administer them under a special unit under the supervision of a Deputy Secretary to the Treasury.
Until now, the tax revenue was collected and credited to the Government Consolidated Fund by the Inland Revenue Department, the Customs Department, and the Excise Department separately.
However, they allege that the tax revenue collected by the government will be credited to a personal account due to the new tax bill introduced by the Ministry of Finance.
Currently, the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs Department trade unions have shown their disagreement to the new tax policy.
