Opposition MP alleges Govt. Minister evaded stamp duty on property deal

An Opposition MP yesterday accused a government minister of purchasing two properties in Anuradhapura without paying the required stamp duty.

- By YOHAN PERERA AND AJITH SIRIWARDANA

Raising the issue in Parliament, MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake alleged that the Minister had undervalued one of the properties to evade stamp duty. “A house worth Rs. 10 million was reportedly purchased for just Rs. 5 million,” he claimed. The MP urged the Inland Revenue Commissioner of the North Central Province to ensure that the appropriate stamp duty is recovered from the Minister in question.