State Minister Siyambalapitiya’s tax paying labour force numbers don’t work
Only 120,965 persons or 2.6 percent of the labour force, who are earning over Rs.100,000 per month, are subjected to the PAYE tax.
Daily Mirror | February 11, 2023
Posted on: 16 March, 2023
False
Latest Fact checks
President right on reduction in registered tax files
In 2019, there were 1.5 million income tax files in total…when we abolished the PAYE tax, in December 2021, we [only] had 400,000 income tax files. It reduced from 1.5 million to 400,000.
President’s Media Division | January 28, 2023
Posted on: 9 March, 2023
True
AKD mistakes disparity in total economic activity as disparity in individual participation
Today, 36% of our country’s national wealth is generated from the Western Province. The North Central Province’s contribution to our country’s national wealth is 5%. The contribution of the North Western Province is 9%. The benefits of the economy flow to the people to the extent that they participate in the economy… The rural poor have not got a chance to join the economy.
Aruna | January 26, 2023
Posted on: 2 March, 2023
Partly True
State minister Siyambalapitiya short on facts on import shortages
…It is because this step was taken [ban imports on certain items] that essential items such as fuel, medicine and fertiliser can be imported without any shortages…
Newswire | January 26, 2023
Posted on: 23 February, 2023
False
President directs attention to low direct taxes
In other countries, most of the taxes are collected from a higher income bracket. In 2021, in India – 50% direct tax…Bangladesh – direct tax 32%...Nepal – direct 31%....69%. Indonesia – direct tax 40%...Vietnam – direct tax 31%...Thailand – direct taxes 37%...Malaysia – direct tax 66%...However the situation in our country is different. In 2021, our direct tax was 21% while indirect was 79%. We should take action to rectify this tax divergence. Then, the tax burden on the general public will be reduced.
The government’s policy statement from the President’s Media Division | February 8, 2023
Posted on: 17 February, 2023
True
Patali -True on SL’s uneasy equilibrium, false on fuel bill savings
…the current normalcy in the country is at a low-level equilibrium. This is an uneasy equilibrium.... Our normal [monthly] fuel bill stood at US $ 550 million. It has now been cut down to US $ 200 million…
Daily Mirror | January 12, 2023
Posted on: 13 February, 2023
Partly True