The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says Sri Lanka’s economic crisis offers a historic opportunity to optimise the use of resources for SDG attainment.

UNDP in Sri Lanka, Resident Representative, Azusa Kubota said that there needs to be concerted efforts to strengthen the linkages among planning, budgeting, monitoring and oversight and citizens’ engagement.

The UNDP in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Department, University of Moratuwa, and the National Innovation Agency of Sri Lanka co-convened the first-ever National Tax Dialogue to address contemporary issues surrounding taxation and fiscal policies in the island. The opening was attended by Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance and Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka.

In light of the ongoing economic reforms and the need to bring in citizens’ perspectives, the National Dialogue drew attention to tax morale, social/fiscal contract, fairness in taxation, transparency and accountability of revenue institutions and digitalisation of public service delivery. The Dialogue launched research findings from the first ‘Taxpayer Perception Study’ in Sri Lanka, collaboratively conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and UNDP in Sri Lanka. The nationally representative study revealed public perceptions on issues surrounding tax burden, evasion, trust in institutions, and experiences with revenue institutions which are particularly pertinent in the context of institutional reform.

By bringing together over 100 stakeholders representing diverse interests and perspectives including policymakers, legislators, bureaucrats, academia, professional bodies, private sector as well as civil society, the dialogue served as a platform for the exchange of opinions and sharing of insights across various awareness levels. The discussions led to a shared understanding of the importance of taxation for the achievement of SDGs and national development, and the need to enhance transparency and accountability in the use of tax revenue. The knowledge and insights generated through this dialogue will serve as a cornerstone for national policy-making institutions, providing valuable input for informed decision-making processes.

The event featured plenaries of global experts renowned for their exceptional expertise in the realm of taxation. Among them are Alex Cobham, Chief Executive of the Tax Justice Network; Lauren Kahn, Director of Strategy and Research, Public Digital UK; and Sudarshan Kasturirangan, Regional Programme Specialist for Asia Pacific for UNDP Tax for SDGs whose contributions enriched the discussions and provided invaluable perspectives on navigating the complexities of tax policies on a global scale.

Gracing the occasion, Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance stated, “Taxation equips states with resources to progressively achieve SDGs. These revenues represent public resources that need to be deployed with a view to optimizing social returns. Considering this relationship, a national dialogue on taxation is a necessity and serves a constructive contribution to Sri Lanka’s democratic process.”

Commenting on the crucial role of innovation in taxation for enhancing the efficiency of revenue administration, the Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department, W.A.S. Chandrasekara added “Embracing innovative tax solutions is imperative for modernizing our revenue systems. By leveraging technology and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we can enhance our efficiency, reduce compliance costs, and ultimately build a more resilient and responsive tax administration.”

UNDP in Sri Lanka, Resident Representative, Azusa Kubota pointed out that “Sri Lanka’s economic crisis offers a historic opportunity to optimise the use of resources for SDG attainment. This entails concerted efforts to strengthen the linkages among planning, budgeting, monitoring and oversight and citizens’ engagement. Therefore, the National Tax Dialogue is timely to foster a whole-of-society understanding and commitment to improving tax morale for effective SDG attainment. The Dialogue assumes global significance, especially as the UN Secretary-General in February 2023 called for an ‘SDG Push’, a surge in investment of $500 billion annually in affordable long-term finance for developing countries.”