Officials of the department, Finance ministry and tax audit firms have discussed the matter at a recent meeting.

It was the Finance Ministry that has proposed the outsourcing of the default tax collection.

Employees union of the department Ajith Pushpakumara said they would oppose this move.

It is a serious matter if a responsibility of the state is given to outsiders, he noted.

Attempts to contact department chief Wasanthi Manchanayake for a comment failed, as she was at at meeting.