Nearly half of the Sri Lankan public believes that the 2024 budget allocations fail to address the country’s most pressing needs, according to National Taxpayer Perception Study - Sri Lanka 2024.
The study, released last week by the UNDP and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, found that 49.3 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the budget’s alignment to national priorities. Dissatisfaction was particularly high among the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) holders, with 67.8 percent expressing concern, compared to 39.1 percent of non-TIN holders.

Health emerged as the top priority sector for national spending, followed by defence and education. 
“These three sectors were the most frequently cited as top priorities, indicating strong public demand for greater investment in human capital and essential services,” the report noted. 
This reflects growing concern about Sri Lanka’s long-term development and security needs.
The study also highlighted widespread discontent with government services, citing inefficiency and poor performance. Many respondents expressed frustration with public officials, reporting long delays, inadequate guidance and a reliance on influence or bribery to complete routine tasks. Only 29 percent of phone inquiries to government offices were successfully answered, underscoring serious communication challenges.
Despite these issues, a majority of respondents still saw reducing government spending as the most viable solution to the country’s ongoing debt crisis. 
(NF)