President Targets Top 200 Tax Evaders in Revenue Drive
- CNL Reporter
- August 8, 2025
- Political
- Tax
- 0 Comments
Sri Lanka’s campaign against tax evasion is intensifying, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake telling Parliament that he holds a list of 200 major tax defaulters owing between Rs. 100–150 billion.
Unveiling the scale of the problem, the President linked the crackdown to the government’s ambitious revenue target of Rs. 4.5 trillion for the upcoming budget—an estimate initially met with scepticism. He said recent reforms at the Inland Revenue Department, Customs, and Excise, alongside efforts to expand the tax net, are now delivering tangible results.
Highlighting signs of economic revival, President Dissanayake reported an 18% rise in local investment compared to last year and expressed optimism that 2025 could rank among Sri Lanka’s strongest economic years.
In a related move to strengthen financial discipline, the President revealed that 50 of the largest loan defaulters from state banks have been summoned for discussions. He assured that banks now have full autonomy to act against defaulters and root out corruption.
He further announced that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are expected to exceed $7 billion by December, signalling improving economic stability
