Leader of the United Republic Front MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has pointed out the impracticality of preparing tax files for every citizen of Sri Lanka, in a statement issued today.
MP Ranawaka highlighted the considerable time and manpower required, indicating that it takes approximately half an hour to process a single tax file while considering all requisite criteria.
“With only nine officers tasked with this responsibility, the daily processing capacity is limited to 144 files, making the processing of millions of files a daunting and time-consuming endeavour,” he said.
MP Ranawaka further said that prioritising the collection of unpaid taxes from the 1272 defaulters identified by the Inland Revenue Department should take precedence over opening new tax files for every individual.
However, he criticised the lack of action taken by the current government in this regard, resulting in an undue burden on the populace and the adoption of impractical measures.
Proposing a more streamlined approach, the Parliamentarian advocated for the utilisation of modern technology, such as QR codes, to accurately monitor people’s transactions.
He cited the successful implementation of QR codes for fuel transactions as a precedent, suggesting that similar measures could be extended to electricity and water bills.
“By encouraging the widespread adoption of QR codes, the government could obtain precise data on transactions and their values, facilitating a more formalised tax collection process,” he pointed out.
MP Ranawaka also emphasised that embracing technological solutions not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to a more transparent and accountable taxation system. (NewsWire)