• Says country will have to revert to an era of queues if revenue is not raised through direct tax increases
• Admits new tax measures are IMF recommendations, hence critical to secure international support to salvage SL economy
• Insists tax hikes not being taken wilfully but being done reluctantly
• Reveals SL lost Rs. 700 b due to wrong economic policies in the past
• Inflation rate increased to 70% since Rs. 2.3 t printed during the past two-and-a-half years
• Suggests tougher times ahead but reassures Govt. ready for prudent economic management following successful debt restructuring
• Says Government ready to discuss concerns further if required

Amidst growing criticism President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday justified a hike in income tax for both corporate and personal saying it was for the greater good of the country going forward and critical to garner much needed financial support from the international community.

In an address to the nation, the President said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with whom the Government has signed a Staff Level Agreement for a $ 2.9 billion 4 year financial support, advised the need for a surplus in Sri Lanka’s  primary budget. “It was agreed to, since the country needs the support of the IMF,” he said.

“It was also decided to increase the country’s income from 8.5% to 14.5% of the GDP. However, it is a difficult task to accomplish immediately, it is envisaged to achieve this  by 2026.

Initially, a decision had to be taken on the manner in which the income is to be increased. Money was printed due to the decrease in income. During the past two years, Rs. 2,300 billion has been printed, resulting in inflation rising to 70% - 75% and even more in respect of food inflation. 

Wickremesinghe said these increases need to be controlled, while securing income. Therefore, during the discussions with the IMF a new tax system has been proposed. The IMF informed that even the export industries would be required to pay taxes. 

The IMF pointed out that in countries with an export economy, the related industries were liable for tax. The IMF also upheld that Sri Lanka’s primary export economy is based on the plantation industry. During British rule, taxes were charged from every plantation sector, including tea, coconut and rubber. Therefore, if the country has to move towards that goal, taxes will have to be paid. The export sector has now questioned this aspect and the related concerns are to be submitted to the IMF. 

Referring to the issue of higher personal income taxation, the President said the majority of tax revenue is through indirect taxation. The majority of the country’s citizens, even those below the poverty line, had no choice but to pay indirect taxes.  The direct tax revenue is 20% and 80% has been derived from indirect taxes. 

The IMF had reservations in this regard were of the view that the amount of tax obtained through direct taxes should exceed 20%. The IMF noted that otherwise this would not be successful and ordinary citizens would need to pay taxes.

Therefore, according to this framework, and also to achieve the goals of 2026, the Treasury and the IMF discussed the possibility of limiting the taxation from those who have an income of Rs. 200,000, which however, did not materialise.  Eventually, this has resulted in the decision to levy income tax on people earning over 100,000. Today, this has become a vital concern amongst the citizens. 

Against this backdrop, without this tax system, the desired goal will not be achieved. The agreed goal is to achieve 14.5% - 15% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revenue by 2026.

 If Sri Lanka withdraws from this program, IMF assistance will not be received. Without IMF certification, the support of these international financial institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the countries that have supported financially will not be forthcoming. If that happens, the country will be  back to the era of queues, the President warned.

In his address, Wickremesinghe also said the Government was ready to implement prudent economic management after successful debt restructuring.

He noted that it was not possible to strengthen the economy without increasing the revenue of the country, which will compel him to reluctantly make tough decisions in order to rebuild the nation. 

In his address the President also said:

An important step in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring program took place last week. A team under the Finance State Minister participated in the Annual (October 07) meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In that instance, a meeting was convened by the IMF, with the lending and international private institutions to Sri Lanka. 

Over 75 persons participated both in-person and through Zoom technology. The main objective of this meeting was for the three main countries that have granted loans to Sri Lanka, namely Japan, China and India, to come together on a common platform to discuss the future steps in the formulation of concessions.

During this meeting, the IMF and Sri Lanka pointed out the need for a common platform. India and China have informed that they will examine the issues further and respond accordingly.  These two countries have also informed the possible need for bilateral discussions in this regard. 

Many other countries also participated in this meeting, including the attendance of an Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury. All this was possible due to the implementation of the decisions taken in consultation with the IMF. 

There is an aspect about the income of the Government of Sri Lanka which needs to be noted. In 2015, during a visit to Sri Lanka the IMF representatives underlined the need for a surplus in the primary budget. Therefore, it was provided for in 2017-2018.

However, it was reduced in 2019 due to the Easter Sunday bombings. Nevertheless, there were no serious repercussions. The IMF was optimistic that Sri Lanka would be able to increase its revenue since there was a surplus in the primary budget.

At that juncture, Sri Lanka’s income was between 14.5% - 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, it was agreed that Sri Lanka could gradually increase this to 17%-18%.

However, in November 2019, the country’s taxes were drastically reduced, with the Government revenue decreasing to 8.5%. In this context, the IMF set aside the agreements and declared that it was unable to provide the agreed assistance.  

That year the Government lost approximately Rs. 600-700 billion as revenue. Simultaneously, the country  had to face the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues are the main factors that led to the collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy.

Tougher times ahead will have to be faced. Therefore, these loans need to be obtained and embark on a debt-restructuring program. These decisions are not being taken wilfully, but are being done reluctantly. However, these decisions will be reconsidered periodically.

In the same manner of conducting the debt restructuring program successfully, if a bountiful Maha season is achieved as expected, it will help in reducing economic pressure. Measures  to increase the country’s foreign reserves have also been discussed and once all these steps have been implemented the country can move forward. 

The country at this juncture is facing a difficult period. Expectedly tough decisions have to be taken during these difficult times. I undertook this challenge when no one else was willing to come forward. Therefore, it is my responsibility to explain the background of the related issues and the Government is also ready to discuss this further if required.

Eran says targets set by IMF must be reasonable and achievable