Sajith pledges new income tax formula

By Yohan Perera   

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday pledged to introduce a new income tax formula if elected as the President of this country.   
Speaking during a rally in Vavuniya, Mr. Premadasa said the new income tax rates will be 1 percent to 24 percent under the SJB government instead of the current level of 6 percent to 36 percent.   
“We intend to give concessions through our new tax structure and will safeguard the public servants and the middle class. An SJB regime will implement what it pledges and will put a stop to con politics,” he said.
Also he pledged a 24 percent salary hike for the public servants. “We will also increase the cost of living allowance to Rs 25,000 while the minimum wage for public servants will be brought up to Rs 57,500. Our government will provide technological training to public servants. We will make the public servants smart,” he said.   
Mr. Premadasa also pledged to provide concessions to the police and the civil defence forces.
Also he reiterated to restart housing schemes in the North and also to hold a special donor conference in the North to generate funds for the development of the two provinces. “We will end the suffering of the people in the North and the East and will see that a peaceful and prosperous era will dawn for them.