Court Orders Sajin Vass to Explain Rs. 36.9M Tax Default

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena was ordered by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Maharachchi to submit a written explanation by December 16 regarding his failure to pay over Rs. 36.9 million in personal income tax.

The order was issued when Gunawardena appeared before the court today (22) in connection with a case filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue. 

The case pertains to unpaid income taxes amounting to Rs. 36,975,959.00 for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Gunawardena, who is currently out on bail, was present in court during the hearing. 

His legal counsel, Attorney-at-Law Jeevantha Jayathilaka, informed the court that a petition challenging the Magistrate’s Court proceedings has been filed before the Supreme Court. That petition is scheduled to be heard on March 26, 2026.

Representing the Inland Revenue Department, Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Perera stated that the Supreme Court has not issued any order preventing the Inland Revenue Department from proceeding with the case, and therefore, there is no legal barrier to continuing the trial.


After considering the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered Gunawardena to provide written reasons by December 16 explaining why the income tax amount remains unpaid.