Vanavasi Rahula Thera calls for taxation of religious institutions

Thursday, 15 February 2024 02:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

National Namal Uyana Founder Vanavasi Rahula Thera has proposed the taxation of religious leaders and institutions in the country.

In a statement to the media yesterday, the Thera emphasised that the Government should impose taxes on places of worship and religious institutions, mirroring the taxation imposed on the country’s general public.

“Religious leaders are merely millionaires who are going untaxed. They too should be taxed similarly to other citizens,” he said.

“The daily collections at certain Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu holy sites in the country amount to millions of rupees. Taxation should be implemented on all these places. I refer to religious leaders as tax-free millionaires,” he said.

The Thera asserted that for the country’s tax system to be equitable, religious establishments must also be subject to taxation. He pointed out that it’s often hard-earned money from members of the public that is donated to places of worship.

“Despite struggling to pay numerous taxes, people still donate to places of worship. Failing to tax these religious institutions would be a grave injustice to the poo who diligently fulfil their tax obligations,” the Thera remarked.