The Frontline Socialist Party-backed People’s Struggle Movement is set to stage a protest march in Colombo today (03) against what it describes as the growing tax burden on the public and the rising cost of living.

The organisers are due to commence the “Colombo March Against Unjust Taxes” at noon from Campbell Park, Borella. The FSP has also been mobilising support for the protest in Colombo and its suburbs in the run-up to the event.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige, speaking at a media briefing in Nugegoda yesterday (02), called on the public to join the protest, saying the movement intended to bring the tax burden faced by ordinary people to the forefront.

Mudalige alleged that successive tax measures had placed an excessive burden on households, particularly through taxes on food and educational items. He also criticised the Government over what he described as the high cost of basic food items and the difficulties faced by parents in meeting their children’s educational expenses.

He accused the Opposition of failing to adequately address the issue, claiming that opposition parties raised such concerns, mainly during election periods.

Mudalige also criticised the Government for what he described as a departure from promises made before the 2024 presidential election regarding taxes on educational equipment.

He questioned the tax burden on food items, citing figures of Rs. 100 per kilogramme on dried sprats, Rs. 310 per kilogramme on chicken and Rs. 11 per egg.

He further alleged that while ordinary people were bearing a heavy tax burden, wealthy groups were receiving tax concessions. He also criticised the Government’s economic programme and its implementation of measures associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The movement has framed today’s protest as part of a broader campaign over the cost of living and taxation. The People’s Struggle Alliance has separately announced that the Campbell Park demonstration will be the first in a series of public actions, with further protests planned in November.

Mudalige said the movement would continue to take the issue to the streets and urged the public to participate in today’s demonstration.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Jayantha Amarasinghe also addressed the press.

The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed the trial in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who is currently out on bail, appearing in court.

The trial was postponed as the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa, alleging that he committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, worth more than Rs. 73 million.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has urged the Government to provide further tax relief to doctors and other professionals, warning that the country is continuing to lose skilled workers due to what it described as an excessive tax burden.

In a statement, the GMOA said more than 2,500 specialist doctors and other medical officers had left the country since 2021/22, with taxation being among the main factors contributing to the migration of medical professionals.

The Association said professionals were among those most affected by the personal income tax reforms introduced in January 2023 as part of efforts to increase government revenue, following the economic crisis.

While acknowledging subsequent amendments to the personal income tax structure, the GMOA said the relief provided remained inadequate in view of inflation, rising living costs, transport expenses and other economic pressures.

It claimed that some professionals continued to pay nearly 36% of their income in direct taxes while also shouldering a substantial indirect tax burden.

The GMOA also raised concerns over doctors’ salaries and allowances, noting that some allowances had not been revised for years, while payments for additional duties and work on holidays had been reduced.

The Association argued that the country’s improving economic situation provided scope for further tax adjustments without adversely affecting overall government revenue.

According to the GMOA, government tax revenue has exceeded Rs. 5.4 trillion, while tax collections in 2025 were more than 30% above the projected level.

The Association said it had submitted proposals to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, ahead of the upcoming Budget, seeking revisions to the tax-free threshold, tax rates and income brackets.

The GMOA called for a tax structure that would provide greater relief to doctors and other professionals, while safeguarding overall government revenue.It warned that failure to retain highly skilled professionals could have long-term consequences for the country, including a further loss of intellectual and professional talent.