1 November 2023 10:00 am Views - 81
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the Cabinet’s approval to increase the Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 18% and revise the electricity bill every three months, according to a statement from his office.
The statement said that he argues that raising VAT is a regressive tax increase that burdens the common people, especially the poor and the working class.
He also accuses the government of weak governance and mismanagement of tax revenue.
“The Opposition Leader suggests that the government should focus on improving tax administration and targeting tax evasion rather than imposing higher taxes on the public. He questions the legitimacy of such decisions and calls for an immediate election to let the people have a say in these matters. He also criticises the government for presenting false data to justify more frequent electricity bill revisions, which he views as a burdensome and unjust act against the people. In his view, these decisions lack public support and should be considered anti-people,” the statement said.