TAX
I am not going to justify these taxes. But, we Sri Lankans never pay our fair share of taxes according to taxation laws.
Developed countries charged lots of tax, for example in Australia PAYG tax(income tax) can go as high as 49%, if you having an above average income.
A litre of petrol (petrol is the single highest commodity in Australian household expenditure ) cost less than 50 cents to import/produce/transport, but sell well over $1.25 with all the taxes.
In 1999 election John Howard (then prime minister, asking for a second term in office) said he will introduce a 10% GST if he elected as prime minister for the second time. Well, that means everything in Australia will be 10% more expensive after this GST. But people (including me) vote for him, and make him prime minister to get that 10% GST . (even we have to pay 10% more for everything, we will be gaining lots of other benefits as well)
There are lots of countries in the world, where people who do not honestly pay their taxes, but expect governments to provide them with all the benefits. Recently Greece went in to a recession due to that very same reason.
Governments should not tax their citizens unnecessarily. At the same time citizens should not avoid paying taxes using all the dirty tricks in the book.
When Kosgama army camp exploded, how many businesses said they lost millions and millions due to that disaster?? But if they earning that much, how many businesses declare that income to the inland revenue and paid their taxes?? Only one business, according to my knowledge. None of the others could not prove their income (they may be exaggerating as well ) because they must be avoiding the tax.
I know my comments may not be popular among vast majority, but if you want our country to be a developed country in the future (may not be in next few decades) we all have to share the burden.