Sri Lanka, May 19 -- A dangerous trend of linking tax administration with criminal offences is emerging due to the current Government's intense eagerness to surpass International Monetary Fund targets, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa states.

Premadasa mentioned this during a meeting held at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo with tax experts, businessmen, and other stakeholders related to the sector regarding tax administration.

The Government is preparing to treat non-compliance with tax conditions as a criminal offense, even if a person fails to meet them due to unintentional negligence, such as forgetfulness, illness, or being abroad, the Opposition Leader points out.

Collecting taxes through the threat of imprisonment is ...