Bold Move to Reduce the Educational Burden on the People!

Sri Lanka imposed an 18% VAT on school books and educational materials from January 2024 to boost government revenue after an economic crisis and an IMF agreement. This tax severely impacted students, parents, and the publishing industry by significantly increasing educational costs. In response to widespread calls for relief, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the VAT on school books would be removed, with plans to be presented in the 2027 budget. This move is expected to alleviate the economic burden on citizens and revitalize the book industry.