• 15,000 docs hand over petition to Prez warning of strict action unless policies revised

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) which handed over a petition signed by 15,000 doctors across the Island to the Presidential Secretariat protesting the personal income tax reforms proposed by the Government, also issued a warning that it will not hesitate to take strict measures in the future if the Government does not revise the said tax policies.

Speaking to the media after handing over the petition to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (11), GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said: “A special petition with the signatures of 15,000 doctors was handed over to the Presidential Secretariat to be given to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Through this, we have pointed out the prejudice that has been caused not only to professionals but to the entire country through the arbitrary and unfair tax policies passed in Parliament. We have proved it with facts.” Claiming that professionals including doctors at no point say that they cannot pay taxes, he said that they have however requested the Government to introduce tax revisions that are good for the country, professionals and people and to impose the same in a fair manner. He said that the taxes should be affordable, and they should be based on the principles of fairness and accountability, adding that taxation and their spending should be made as transparent as possible. 

Speaking further, Dr. Aluthge said: “Professionals have had to think twice or thrice about staying in the country due to this tax policy. Even now, not only doctors, but also many professionals, including engineers are leaving the country in large numbers. Therefore, the tax policy should be revised. If the Government does not understand this language, we as professionals will not hesitate to take strict actions. We have already declared the week starting from 23 January as a black week. If the Government does not pay attention to the matter even after this petition, we will not hesitate to join a struggle with the people.”

When queried by the media as to whether the GMOA has any figures on the professionals who are leaving the country, he said that the GMOA has no exact figures on all professionals, but that it has those on doctors. According to their knowledge, he said that between 50 and 60 doctors are currently leaving the country per month. He said that around 700 to 800 doctors are leaving the country per year, and that the same will have a great impact on hospitals that are located in remote areas such as Point Pedro, Tissamaharama, and Medirigiriya.

Meanwhile, the taxable income of a person for a year of assessment commencing from 1 April 2023, will be: for the income not exceeding Rs. 500,000, the tax payable is 6% of the amount in excess of Rs. 0; for the income exceeding Rs. 500,000 but not exceeding Rs. 1 million, the tax payable is Rs. 30,000 plus 12% of the amount in excess of Rs. 500,000; for the income exceeding Rs. 1 million but not exceeding Rs. 1.5 million, the tax payable is Rs. 90,000 plus 18% of the amount in excess of Rs. 1 million; for the income exceeding Rs. 1.5 million but not exceeding Rs. 2 million, the tax payable is Rs. 180,000 plus 24% of the amount in excess of Rs. 1.5 million; for the income exceeding Rs. 2 million but not exceeding Rs. 2.5 million, the tax payable is Rs. 300,000 plus 30% of the amount in excess of Rs. 2 million; and for the income exceeding Rs. 2.5 million, the tax payable is Rs. 450,000 plus 36% of the amount in excess of Rs. 2.5 million.