Why not levy a ‘Kunu’ tax?

Now almost all of us pay a nominal santhosam to the garbage collector to facilitate the easy disposal of our garbage. I suggest that by imposing a tax for garbage collection, the municipality can pay an extra allowance to these workers as incentives, thus discouraging them from accepting bribes. 

Isn’t it better that we pay the Government, or rather the Municipal Council, a payment (which is acceptable and legal) than pay a bribe (which is despicable, illegal and a punishable offence) to the garbage collector. This is the way forward to eliminate bribery; that is by increasing the payments made to the garbage handlers. 

Over to the Inland Revenue Department to consider the above proposal to convert the bribe into ‘Kunu’ tax! This will also to some extent solve the garbage issue for Mayoress Rosie Senanayake. 

It is also possible that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) could be disbanded if we could completely eliminate bribery or if it could at least be reduced drastically. This will strengthen good governance in Sri Lanka and make our country a model for other countries.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo 3