Tax increase to please IMF: UNP

Economist and UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva yesterday charged that the increase in taxes announced by the Finance Ministry was aimed at meeting

The government is trying desperately to get that money that was suspended

The common man is left in the lurch. Just like they increased the taxes on kerosene the government has yet again taken to task the average citizen. Unknown to many, the government on March 22 increased the special commodity levy on green gram by 50% and Kurakkan by 33% which shows the attitude of the government towards the commoner

conditions stipulated by the IMF.

“The IMF board will meet on Monday and the loan that is suspended will be taken up then. The government is trying desperately to get that money that was suspended. In order to do so the government has to do a whole bunch of things including the increase in utility prices, the increase in interest rates and the depreciation of the currency. This increase in taxes looks very much in preparation for the IMF meeting scheduled on Monday” he said.

The National list parliamentarian also said the increase in taxes struck a big blow on the common man. “If you look at the percentages of increase you will find that the increase is weighed heavily on vehicles used by the average Sri Lankan. The increase of taxes on vehicles below 1000CC, motor bikes and trishaws, are all modes of transport used by the middle and lower middle class of this country. The taxes have been increased phenomenally on them whilst the increase in the taxes for other luxurious vehicles such as the Mercedes and the BMW is marginal in comparison” he said.

The MP also said that the government had forgotten the basic ideal of protecting the common man as espoused in the Mahinda Chinthanaya. “The common man is left in the lurch. Just like they increased the taxes on kerosene the government has yet again taken to task the average citizen. Unknown to many, the government on March 22 increased the special commodity levy on greengram by 50% and Kurakkan by 33% which shows the attitude of the government towards the

commoner,” he said.