Business

Income Tax, Professionals and Migration

Published

3 years ago

2023/01/22

by Naomal Goonewardena

I am a lawyer by profession who also happens to have an interest in the subject of tax. My tax liability and income tax payments for the year of assessment 2023/2024 would be more than 300% of that in 2021/2022. Not great by any means.

I have been watching in silence the continuous agitation by professionals in particular with regard to the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No.45 of 2022 (“2022 Amendment”) and the additional tax which is payable thereunder by individuals. Almost all of the arguments against the increased tax is accompanied by an implied threat that the high tax rates would accelerate the rate of migration of professionals from the country and the dire consequences which would arise therefrom.

It would be pertinent to analyze the marginal tax rates which have been applicable for individuals from the year 2000 to present and the level of income at which the highest marginal rate would have become applicable. The last column set out above is indicative of the level of income which a person should have on a monthly basis after which he would be liable to pay income tax at the maximum rate specified in the table.

The aforesaid table is clearly indicative that for the period 2000 -2010 the marginal rates of tax were relatively high and therefore, largely comparable to what is going to apply from 2023 onwards. The real problem seems to be that from 2011 onwards, the rate of tax for professionals in particular has fallen down dramatically (other than for 2018/2019) with the result that professionals for all intents and purposes have “forgotten” to pay tax.

The enhanced threshold at which the maximum tax was applicable even at the lower rate increased dramatically from 2020 – 2022 and that seems to be the starting point for any entitlements which are now being spoken of. For example, during this period a person with an income of Rs. 500,000 per month would have only paid about Rs. 10,000 per month as income tax (i.e 2% of income). This is clearly unacceptable. The aforesaid table is clearly indicative that society in general has borne the brunt of this for the benefit of professionals at large very specially between 2011-2017. In my view there is absolutely no justification for professionals to be given any tax concessions which are not available to the other tax paying persons in this country.

I am well aware that in view of inflation in particular, affordability of the tax is in question. The personal reliefs and the level at which the maximum marginal tax rate would apply are also debatable. The real question is as to whether a person having an income of approximately Rs. 300,000 per month should or should not be contributing tax at the rate of 36% on his excess income in the context of large segments of our society being unable to eke out a bare existence for their very survival.

It is easy to say that a large part of government revenue is either wasted or subject to corrupt practices. However, the reality seems to be that major part of government revenue goes towards debt service (i.e interest expenses on borrowing) for which we are all responsible, government salaries and pensions. It is also ironic that persons who are the beneficiaries of these expenses or who have failed miserably in their basic obligation to ensure price stability are also among those who are agitating for a reduction in revenue by way of reduced tax.

It is a fallacy for employees who are subject to Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax to think that in view of the automatic deduction that they are subject to more tax than others or that other individuals in society who are liable to tax do not pay their tax. The latter pay their tax through the quarterly payment mechanism under the Inland Revenue Act of No.24 of 2017 (“IRA”). The often quoted reason for being reluctant to pay tax is that large parts of society are evading tax and therefore, one should not pay taxes. This in my view is too simple a presumption and it is for any person who says that there are other tax evaders to take the necessary steps to report them specifically to the authorities in a manner that they could share the tax burden of all. However, based on my professional training, pointing to other tax evaders and providing that as a justification for not paying your own taxes is an argument unworthy of a professional.

With regard to migration, the following table illustrates the marginal tax rates for individuals in the countries which are often mentioned as being attractive for migration by professionals.

Subject to any differences arising from permissibility of expenses in computing the taxable income, it is clear that any migrant would walk into higher taxes. The migrant would not dare to evade tax in those countries either since the migrant will be summarily thrown out or put behind bars. If a professional wishes to migrate, please do so but do not cite excessive tax in your home country or insufficiency of personal reliefs in computing your taxable income, since any reasonable man in those countries would think that such arguments are hollow to say the least.

We are a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) and each of us must understand the implications of this. Whichever political party is in power, the government needs revenue. We have exercised our franchise and elected idiots in the past. In 2015 we voted for public sector salary increases which were totally unrealistic which drained the public coffers. In 2019, we the professionals voted for tax cuts, pocketed the additional monies and deprived the State of its due share of revenue. It is now pay-back time for the professionals. In the short term, the increased tax rates should be bearable and in the medium and long term will become palatable.

Increased government revenue is a necessity with current VAT rate of 15% and the marginal income tax rates for individuals and corporates of 36% and 30% being reasonable in a global sense. If any politicians seek your vote or mine on the basis of reducing these tax rates in the absence of alternative concrete revenue generating proposals, let us classify them appropriately as mentioned above and treat them with the contempt which they deserve.

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Business

eChannelling introduces ‘eHomecare’ as SL’s first doctor-led elderly care service

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/27

Thilina Walpola

Officials from eChannelling PLC and SLT, along with doctors, at the event

Supporting families with medically supervised care for elderly individuals in the comfort of their own homes, SLT-MOBITEL and eChannelling PLC, in partnership with medical experts from Golden Years Care, have introduced eHomecare’, Sri Lanka’s first doctor‑led elderly‑care service.

The pioneering initiative is designed to address a growing societal need. The service launched by eChannelling, Sri Lanka’s leading digital healthcare solutions provider, brings together the technological capabilities of SLT-MOBITEL with eChannelling’s healthcare expertise and Golden Years Care’s extensive experience in compassionate home-based support, ensuring quality standards throughout the program.

With increasing migration, many adult children are now living or working abroad, leaving their elderly parents alone in Sri Lanka. For many seniors, mobility challenges make it difficult to access hospitals for routine checkups, medication, or urgent medical attention. eHomecare seeks to fill this critical gap, offering a structured, reliable, and compassionate solution for families navigating these challenges.

The purpose of eHomecare is to support families in assuring their elderly loved ones receive the medical care they need, even when children are living overseas or occupied with demanding careers, guaranteeing elderly individuals are supported with dignity.

eHomecare provides families with a safe and trustworthy platform to arrange professional doctor‑led home visits, benefit from real‑time assessments and guidance from qualified healthcare professionals and ensure the elderly are supported with holistic care.

More than a convenience, eHomecare is a vital solution to a pressing social concern, offering peace of mind to families and guaranteeing seniors receive the respect, and medical attention they deserve.

Key features of the service include doctor-led home visits providing personalized care tailored to individual health needs, continuous assessment and recommendations for ongoing care for optimal health management, prompt medical attention during emergencies, with qualified healthcare professionals available when needed and a comprehensive, professional, and trustworthy approach to elderly care that prioritizes dignity and wellbeing.

Through eHomecare, families gain access to a reliable network of medical professionals who understand the unique needs of elderly individuals. The service bridges the distance between overseas children and their aging parents, with medical support, and emotional reassurance that loved ones are being cared for with compassion and expertise.

Business

NDB shows strong growth, rising investment potential

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/27

Thilina Walpola

In a striking testament to both corporate resilience and a recovering macroeconomic environment, the National Development Bank (NDB) has delivered a set of third-quarter results for 2025 that far exceed market expectations. The figures, detailed in a recent analysis by First Capital Research (FCR), paint a picture of a financial institution leveraging favourable conditions to accelerate growth, justify upward revisions in valuation, and present a compelling case to investors for long-term value creation.

The headline figure is arresting: a 145.6% year-on-year surge in earnings for 3Q2025. This explosive growth was primarily engineered by a dual engine of stronger net interest income, which grew 13.8% YoY to LKR 9.1 billion, and a significant 24.3% rise in net fee and commission income. The former benefits directly from the prevailing low-interest-rate environment, which has helped margins and stimulated borrowing, while the latter points to broad-based business momentum across the bank’s operations, from trade finance to its digital platforms. A remarkable leap in other income – to LKR 1.04 billion from a mere LKR 27.7 million a year earlier – further bolstered the bottom line.

Perhaps as encouraging as the income growth is the notable improvement in credit quality. Impairment charges declined by a substantial 46.9% year-on-year, a clear signal of improving macroeconomic conditions and a healthier loan book. This trend underscores a banking sector that is emerging from the shadows of past economic stress with greater stability.

Buoyed by this outperformance, FCR has significantly revised its earnings forecasts upward. Their 2025 estimate has been lifted by 33.5% to LKR 11.6 billion, and the 2026 forecast by 26.1% to LKR 13.2 billion. This positive reassessment flows directly into the bank’s perceived fair value. FCR now assigns a fair value of LKR 180.0 per share for 2025, implying a 27% potential upside, and LKR 200.0 for 2026, suggesting a 42% increase from current levels. When expected dividend per share (DPS) returns are included, the total return projections become even more attractive, estimated at 33% for 2025 and 48% for 2026.

First Capital maintains a “BUY” recommendation on NDB, citing a constructive outlook founded on a favourable macro backdrop and stable interest-rate trends. These factors are expected to continue fuelling loan book expansion. Furthermore, growth in trade finance and an accelerating adoption of digital banking services are anticipated to provide sustained momentum to fee-based earnings, diversifying the bank’s revenue streams.

However, the report does not ignore the clouds on the horizon. It highlights near-term risks to asset quality, particularly stemming from recent adverse weather events. Given NDB’s sizable exposure to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, which is often vulnerable to such disruptions, the analysis expects a possible uptick in non-performing loans (NPLs) in the coming quarters. This is a prudent note of caution for investors, emphasizing that the recovery path may not be entirely smooth.

Nevertheless, the overarching narrative from these results is one of a bank positioned at the confluence of economic recovery and strategic execution. NDB appears to be translating improved national economic indicators into robust financial performance. Its “resilient base,” demonstrated by strengthening fundamentals and declining impairments, provides the foundation for “rising potential,” captured in the revised earnings and fair value estimates.

For the investing public, the message from this analysis is clear: NDB is presented as a institution harnessing the winds of economic change to propel itself forward. While mindful of sector-specific risks, the data suggests a strong trajectory for growth and value appreciation, making it a standout candidate for potential investors.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

Sri Lankan tea sees a week of robust activity

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/27

Thilina Walpola

A tea garden in Akuressa: The low grown segment, comprising approximately 2.4 M/Kgs, met with fair to good demand

The Colombo tea auctions witnessed a week of robust activity and generally firm prices, as total offerings rose significantly to 6.0 million kilograms, according to the latest market commentary from leading brokers Forbes & Walker. This marks a notable increase from the 5.2 million kilograms on offer the previous week.

The market was characterized by good general demand, with an encouraging overall price structure attributed to seasonal interest. The report indicates a nuanced picture across different elevations and tea types.

Offerings from Ex-Estate gardens increased marginally to 0.79 M/Kgs. The sector saw good demand, with prices maintaining a firm to marginally dearer trend. However, within the Western High-Grown region, teas in the Best category were marginally weaker, while improved and brighter sorts in the Below Best category appreciated. The Nuwara Eliya region remained sluggish, while the Uva/Uda Pussellawa regions sold at levels consistent with the previous week.

The High and Medium Grown CTC market saw firm conditions for PF1 grades, which gained by Rs. 20 per kg or more. In contrast, the corresponding Low Grown PF1 varieties weakened by a similar margin. BP1 grades were scarcely available.

The Low Grown segment, comprising approximately 2.4 M/Kgs, met with fair to good demand. The Premium category, in particular, witnessed good interest.

BOP1 grades were fully firm. OP1 varieties saw Best and Below Best types appreciate, while high-priced OPs were easier. OPAs saw high-priced teas become dearer.

FBOPs were generally firm, and Select Best FF1s were firm to selectively dearer.

Very Tippy teas met with good, firm demand, with Best and Below Best varieties appreciating.

The broker report noted that shippers to traditional markets like the United Kingdom, the European continent, and South Africa continued to be selective in their purchases. Meanwhile, there was fair activity from buyers representing China, Japan, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Middle East.

Forbes & Walker concluded that the overall price picture is encouraging, driven by a combination of selective international demand and seasonal factors. The firm to dearer trend at the lower end of the market and for specific grades indicates a solid underlying demand, despite some regional and qualitative weaknesses. The trade will be watching closely to see if this firm trend holds as new seasonal crops come to market.