There will be surprises in the 2024 budget, including a proposal to tax primary bond dealers, President Ranil Wickremesighe told Parliament.
The President made this remark in response to an allegation by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who alleged that the government is to put EPF holders in jeopardy by charging a 30 percent tax if it does not opt to participate in the debt optimization process.
“We will tax the primary bond dealers through the next budget and you will find surprises in the 2025 budget,” the President said.
“Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is speaking against the companies that invest on bonds and he should not go and ask for money from them for various purposes,” he added.
Also, the President said the proposal to charge a 30 percent tax from the EPF was originally proposed by the SLPP even before he became the Prime Minister.
