斯巴达克斯第三季
Ranil justifies tax hikes amidst criticism_我的网站
A | 北京8月21日电 (记者 赵建华)财政部预算司司长王新祥21日在北京表示，中国式现代化，民生为大。 Colombo, Oct 20 (UNI) Amid growing criticism, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has justified a hike in income tax for both corporates and individuals, saying it was for the greater good of the country 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 which the government has signed a Staff Level Agreement for a $2.9 billion four-year financial support, advised the need for a surplus in Sri Lanka’s primary budget, the Daily FT reported on Thursday.
“It was agreed to since the country needs the support of the IMF,” he was quoted him as saying.
“It was also decided to increase the country’s income from 8.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent 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 per cent and even more in respect of food inflation," he said.
Wickremesinghe said these increases need to be controlled, while securing income. Therefore, during the discussions with the IMF a new tax system was 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 was 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 President said.
The direct tax revenue was 20 per cent and 80 per cent has been derived from indirect taxes.
The IMF had reservations in this regard and said the amount of tax obtained through direct taxes should exceed 20 per cent. The IMF noted that otherwise this would not be successful and ordinary citizens would need to pay taxes, the President said.
Therefore, the Treasury and the IMF discussed the possibility of limiting the taxation from those who have an income of Rs. 200,000, which did not materialise. Eventually, this resulted in the decision to levy income tax on people earning over 100,000. This has become a vital concern amongst citizens.
But without this tax system, the desired goal will not be achieved. The agreed goal is to achieve 14.5-15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revenue by 2026, Wickremesinghe said.
If Sri Lanka withdraws from this programme, IMF assistance will not be received. Without IMF certification, the support of institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the countries that have supported financially will not be forthcoming. Then, Sri Lanka will be back to the era of queues, he 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.
The President pointed out how in November 2019, the country’s taxes were drastically reduced, reducing the government revenue to 8.5 per cent. This was when the IMF set aside the agreements with Colombo 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.
"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."
UNI MR。
B | 财政部门坚持尽力而为、量力而行，不断加大保障和改善民生的力度，持续增进民生福祉，真金白银投得更“实”，政策举措落得更“准”。
C | 21日在国新办举行的新闻发布会上，王新祥介绍，今年全国一般公共预算安排教育、社保、卫生、住房等方面的资金达到了12.4万亿元，比上年增长5.4%，高于全国一般公共预算支出增幅1个百分点。社会保障网越织越密。预计今年全年超过4400万人领取低保、特困人员供养等基本生活救助。超过2500万名婴幼儿及其家庭领到了2026年度育儿补贴，约2400万人次在园儿童享受到学前一年免保育教育费政策。
D | 下达学生资助资金超过1600亿元，预计全年将有1.5亿人次受益。 同时，政策举措落得更“准”。
E | 安排资金超过120亿元，在全国范围内实施向中度以上失能老年人发放养老服务消费补贴项目，惠及近200万失能老年人。为适应学龄人口变化，调整教育转移支付资金结构，推动教育资源优化配置。 同一场发布会上，财政部综合司司长李先忠表示，“十五五”时期，财政部继续发力支持推进乡村全面振兴和农业农村现代化。坚持将农业农村作为一般公共预算优先保障的领域，并通过超长期特别国债、地方政府专项债券等多个渠道，保持财政投入的强度和力度；引导和撬动更多金融和社会投资助力乡村振兴。2026年安排全国一般公共预算农林水支出2.43万亿元，同比增长3.3%。 同时，在守牢“两条底线”上接续发力，保障国家粮食安全，防止规模性返贫致贫。截至6月底，脱贫劳动力就业规模超过3200万人，脱贫县农村居民人均可支配收入的增速继续跑赢全国农村平均水平。
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Published on:01:10:13