Sri Lanka raises tax on mobile phones

Published September 7, 2007

COLOMBO, Sept 6: Sri Lanka on Thursday sharply raised taxes on mobile phone users to help raise funds for extra government spending, officials said.

The subscriber levy was hiked from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent on all mobile phone bills, officials said.

Media Minister Anura Yapa said the move was aimed at raising revenue for additional government expenditure this year, including fuel subsidies for the country’s fishermen.

The mobile phone sector is a success story in Sri Lanka’s otherwise war-battered economy, with six million users out of a total population of 19 million. —AFP

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...