Sri Lanka, Nov. 19 -- Mobile phone users are required to pay a 20.3% tax on internet services and a 38% tax on regular voice calls, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has stated.

This clarification was provided during a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

Committee Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva raised questions regarding the effective tax on consumers using prepaid mobile services.

Addressing the inquiry, TRC Director Indrajith Handapangoda explained the structure of telecommunications levies.

According to Handapangoda, internet usage is not subjected to the Telecommunication Levy, but consumers pay an effective tax of approximately 20.3% for data services. Meanwhile, voice services, including broadband-r...