By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

It was the private sector which demanded a tax cut as soon as the present government came into power, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday. 
“ No politician in the government wanted a tax cut as it was the private sector who wanted it,” he said.   

The former Prime Minister also found fault with the government officers and requested the minister of finance to work on his own and make his own statements in the House. “ I also propose that all financial advisory committees be abolished  as it is Parliament which has power over finances,” he said.   

Further the former Prime Minister requested that Srilankan Airlines should be made to halt the purchase of 21 new aircraft till the House gives its approval for it.   
Wickremesinghe praised the Minister of Finance Ali Sabry saying he has been brave enough to undertake a daunting task of reviving the country’s economy.