Why was my dinner bill 30% higher than the menu price? Is this a scam?
I just ate at a nice restaurant in Colombo. The menu said the burger was 3,000 LKR.
When the bill came, it was nearly 4,000 LKR! There was VAT, SSCL, and Service Charge added. Is it legal to add that much tax on top? I thought the menu price was final.
1 Answer
It feels like a scam, but unfortunately, it is the law in 2025/2026.
The Breakdown:
- VAT: 18% (Value Added Tax).
- SSCL: 2.5% (Social Security Contribution Levy).
- Service Charge: 10% (Standard hotel/restaurant tip pool).
The Math: These stack up to roughly 30.5% on top of the menu price.
How to check: Look at the bottom of the menu. If it says "Prices subject to taxes & service charge" (+++), expect the 30% hike. If it says "Nett," the price is final. Small local cafes usually charge "Nett," while hotels charge "+++".
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