By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

The National Consumer Front claimed that a glass of hot water had been sold at Rs. 100 before imposing the new VAT.  

Its president, Asela Sampath told the Daily Mirror that a similar incident was reported from a vegetarian family restaurant in Jaffna.  
He claimed that a glass of hot water was sold to customers at a price of Rs. 100.  

He said a bill issued by the restaurant shows a customer who visited the food centre on December 2 had paid Rs. 1,200 for water for 12 persons.  

“If a glass of hot water was sold at Rs. 100 before imposing the VAT, it is possible to sell a glass of normal water in restaurants at Rs. 50,” Sampath said.