Namal Rajapaksa Urges Government to Remove Taxes on School Supplies and Essential Food Items in 2027 Budget

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) and other applicable taxes on essential school supplies and food items through the 2027 Budget.

In a letter dated October 9, Rajapaksa called on the President to honour the National People's Power (NPP) government's promises made during the 2024 presidential election to provide tax relief on schoolbooks, stationery, educational equipment and essential food items.

Referring to the NPP's election manifesto, he noted that it had proposed a zero per cent VAT rate on essential goods, including locally produced milk, eggs and infant milk.

Rajapaksa urged the government to review the existing tax structure on these products and introduce the promised tax concessions in the upcoming Budget.

He said the proposed measures would provide much-needed financial relief to low- and middle-income families grappling with rising education and living costs, while also helping safeguard children's access to education and adequate nutrition.