Fundamental Rights Petition Challenges Imposition Of New Taxes For Telecom Sector

Attorney-at-Law P. Liyanaarachchi filed a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court today, challenging the Finance Minister's move to impose new taxes on the telecommunications sector.

The petitioner informs court that he got to know about the imposition of the Nation Building Tax and the Value Added Tax to telecommunications sector with effect from May 2.

The petitioner said that his Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 12 (1) have been infringed by the decision to impose new taxes given that telecommunications sector is already subjected to a 25 percent telecommunications levy.

The petitioner requested court to issue an interim order preventing the levy of new taxes till the court case is concluded.

The Attorney General and the Finance Minister have been named as respondents in this case.