People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu: PM

People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu, although it was criticized today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the 52nd Aluth Sahal Mangalaya at Jaya Srimaha Bodhi in Anurdhapura this morning.

“King Parakramabahu used impose tax on people, especially when harvest was high. Therefore, remember that King Parakramabahu also imposed VAT before criticising,” he said in a lighter vein.

The Prime Minister stressed Sri Lanka’s paddy production had been 3 million metric tons this year. This he said was one of the highest harvests in the history.

President Maithripala Sirisena was the chief guest of the event although he did not address the gathering. (Yohan Perera and Athula Bandara in Anuradhapura)