November 12, Colombo (LNW): Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe has instructed the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to expedite its investigation into actress Piumi Hansamali and Viranjith Thambugala, Chairman of Aura Lanka, following a case filed under Section 190 of the Inland Revenue Act.
The investigation aims to determine whether the two individuals have committed any tax-related offences, as outlined by the Inland Revenue Act.
During the court proceedings held on November 11, the legal representative of the Inland Revenue Department informed the court that a search warrant had been obtained to examine documents at the residences of both Hansamali and Thambugala.
However, it was revealed that neither of the individuals was present at their respective homes when the searches were conducted.
The case has drawn significant public attention, as it involves two high-profile figures in Sri Lanka’s entertainment and business sectors.
With the court now pushing for a swift resolution, the IRD is under pressure to complete its investigation and determine whether any violations of tax laws have occurred.
The investigation, which centres on potential violations under Section 190 of the Inland Revenue Act, will scrutinise financial records and tax filings to ascertain if Hansamali and Thambugala have been involved in any form of tax evasion or fraudulent activity.
Should any wrongdoing be identified, the two individuals could face legal consequences in line with Sri Lanka’s strict tax laws.
The IRD has yet to provide further details on the specifics of the case or any evidence found during the initial searches.
However, the case highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with tax regulations, particularly amongst prominent public figures and business leaders.
