Colombo – June 3, 2025 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on Sri Lankan businesses and industrialists to stop lobbying for tax concessions, emphasizing that fair tax contributions are essential for national development and not an impediment to economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of National Tax Week on June 2, the President stated that requests for tax reductions or exemptions have become a common theme in meetings with business leaders. “Taxes are not an obstacle to economic activities. If businesses want electricity, land, water, or roads, we will provide them — but they must pay their taxes,” he said firmly.
He added that while the government is committed to improving infrastructure, enhancing efficiency, and removing bureaucratic barriers for the private sector, it expects businesses to comply with tax regulations in full.
The President acknowledged that if existing taxes are overly burdensome or overly complex, the government is open to reviewing and streamlining them. However, he cautioned against using taxation as a scapegoat for lack of growth. “The mindset that taxes are the reason for underperformance must change,” he said.
In a broader economic update, President Dissanayake announced plans to restart all previously suspended development projects within the next two to three months. He stressed that the government will pursue policy-driven economic decisions rather than politically motivated ones.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s goal of financial independence, the President stated, “We are committed to making this the last time Sri Lanka seeks assistance from the IMF — and for that, we must raise our revenue base.”