Sri Lanka, Nov. 5 -- Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of misleading the public by claiming that his Government had not introduced any new taxes since taking office in 2024.

Speaking in Parliament, Perera disputed the President's recent remarks, alleging that the administration had introduced three new taxes while increasing seven existing ones.

He identified the new measures as a 15% income tax on service export earnings, an 18% VAT on digital services and a 5% withholding tax on certain payments for professional services.

Perera also pointed to higher taxes on interest income, capital gains, financial services, alcohol, tobacco, and betting and gaming businesses.

Questioning the President's...