Piyumi Sued Over Rs. 225 Million in Alleged Unpaid Taxes, Thambugala Over Rs. 194 Million

 The Department of Inland Revenue informed the court that it is preparing to file indictments in the Colombo High Court against popular model Piyumi Hansamali, who is accused of evading over Rs. 225 million in taxes owed to the government, and Viranjith Thambugala, Chairman of Aura Lanka Company.

These facts were revealed when the complaint filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue was called before Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshada Mihara Maharachchi.

Here, attorney Dinesh Perera, appearing for the Department of Inland Revenue, informed the court that while the necessary Attorney General's advice for filing a case against the defendants in the High Court has been sought, that advice has not yet been received. The two defendants are accused of evading income tax payments totaling Rs. 419 million for the years 2022 and 2023. These legal actions have been taken to recover outstanding taxes, penalties, and interest owed to the government, with Piyumi Hansamali, owner of 'Loliya Skin Care' Private Company, owing Rs. 225 million in taxes, and Mr. Viranjith Thambugala owing Rs. 194 million.

The Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, through his complaint, has indicated that these two defendants are guilty of obstructing tax administration, which is a criminal offense under Sections 186, 189, and 190 of the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017,

failing to maintain proper tax files, and evading tax payments. Meanwhile, the attorney further reported that although Piyumi Hansamali had filed a writ petition against these complaints in the Court of Appeal, no order has been issued regarding it yet. After considering all the facts presented, the Additional Magistrate ordered a report on the progress of the relevant investigations and adjourned the case until April 29th.