Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s announcement that the government has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revise the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, was a fact that he had argued as possible since 2023.
Taking to ‘X’, MP Harsha de Silva said that the Samagi Jana Balawegya (SJB) has already announced a ‘middle-class tax cut’, including Personal Income Tax and PAYE.
“The President says today he will amend PAYE tax, something he said can not be done. I argued since 2023 that it was possible. We already announced a ‘middle-class tax cut’ (PIT including PAYE) without false promises of doubling the tax-free threshold (JVP) nor lowering the highest marginal rate,” he said, in a message on ‘X’.
His comments come after the President announced that the government has reached an agreement with the IMF to revise the PAYE tax, a significant concern for the public, assuring that following further discussions, relief measures would be implemented as soon as possible.
Addressing a public rally in Eheliyagoda yesterday, the President also criticized Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for making unrealistic promises about reducing taxes and easing the people’s burdens.
He cautioned that following their proposed path could lead to severe shortages, leaving the public once again without essential supplies such as gas, fuel, and medicine.
“Currently, income tax has become a significant issue. We have reached an agreement with the IMF on the need to revise it, and I can confirm that a basic decision has already been made. Both parties have submitted proposals, and once we have discussed and agreed on a common approach, we will be able to provide relief to the public” the President said. (Newswire)