1 October 2023 09:31 pm Views - 1427
Sri Lanka has not received anything from the IMF programme so far other than the unbearable tax burden on the people, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today.
He told a news conference that Sri Lanka sought IMF assistance with the hope of restructuring international loans and that Sri Lanka has not been able to restructure or get a haircut on a single Dollar even after 17 months.
The MP said the IMF's second tranche is also uncertain according to the statement issued by the IMF staff after its recent visit to Sri Lanka.
He said the government imposed various taxes and increased electricity, water tariffs and fuel prices as per the IMF conditions, which has put the lives of the people in jeopardy.
"The IMF continues to force the government to impose more taxes and further increase electricity tariffs saying that targeted state revenue has not been achieved. According to the IMF statement, Sri Lanka is getting state revenue that is 15 percent lower than the expected target," he said.
He said the government has planned to open income tax files for everyone above 18 years of age from January next year.
The MP said electricity tariffs are also set to be increased by 22 percent or Rs. 8 per unit from October 1. (Ajith Siriwardana)