Professionals seek fairer tax system ahead of 2027 budget

Sri Lankan professionals and salaried employees, including doctors, are asking the government for a fairer tax structure ahead of the 2027 budget. They say the current system places a disproportionate burden on people receiving monthly salaries.

Government Medical Officers' Association spokesman Chamil Wijesinghe said last year's changes had not adequately addressed those concerns. He welcomed the president's decision to discuss planned budget measures in advance and described the proposed tax changes as a positive step, while calling for further action.

Wijesinghe argued that employees in the public, semi-government and private sectors are taxed on gross earnings, whereas business owners are taxed on profits. The comparison was his argument for reform, not a claim that the two tax bases operate identically. He said professionals were seeking an affordable and fair structure rather than exemption from tax.

Professional groups, including the United Professionals' Alliance, have prepared relief proposals drawing on the PAYE arrangements introduced in 2018. He said they wanted to reduce employees' burden while preserving the number of tax files and strengthening compliance, and called for meaningful discussions with the government.