The Daily Mirror has reported that the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has intensified its investigation into MPs who may be involved in tax fraud. 

The website further reported:

Sri Lanka’s new anti-corruption law provides for the declaration of assets by MPs.   

An informed source said that the IRD, in its attempt to widen the tax net, has targeted parliamentarians for possible frauds.   

Sri Lanka recently took a host of measures for the increase  of state revenue as stipulated in the programme with the International  Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition to the increase of tax rates, it also  took steps to widen the tax network.  

Earlier, a top parliamentary committee informed that  revenue collection mechanism should be strengthened to net those evading  tax payments. Sri Lanka’s revenue-collecting bodies exceeded the tax  revenue target by six per cent for the first quarter ended on March 31.  

The government expects a revenue collection of Rs. 4,106  billion in 2024. Sri Lankan Customs, Excise Department and Inland  Revenue Department are the three collection bodies.