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ஜெனரல்
Nearly half of the Sri Lankan public believes that the 2024 budget allocations fail to address the country’s most pressing needs, according to the National Taxpayer Perception Study - Sri Lanka 2024. The study, released by the UNDP and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, revealed that 49.3 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the budget’s alignment with national priorities. Dissatisfaction was particularly high among Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) holders, with 67.8 percent expressing concern, compared to 39.1 percent of non-TIN holders. Health emerged as the top priority sector for national spending, followed by defence and education, reflecting a strong public demand for greater investment in human capital and essential services.
The study also highlighted widespread discontent with government services, citing inefficiency and poor performance. Many respondents reported frustration with long delays, inadequate guidance, and a reliance on influence or bribery to complete routine tasks. Communication challenges were also significant, as only 29 percent of phone inquiries to government offices were successfully answered. Despite these issues, the majority of respondents saw reducing government spending as the most viable solution to the country’s ongoing debt crisis.
