SJB media spokesman S.M. Marikkar has urged the government to implement the tax policy introduced in 2019 by the then finance minister, the late Mangala Samaraweera.
Speaking to the media yesterday (16), Marikkar referred to the strike by trade unions on the previous day against an unfair tax policy, increase in electricity tariffs etc.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) failed in its propaganda war of updates every five minutes on uninterrupted train and bus operations and banks being kept open to claim the strike was a failure.
It completely ignored the sorry plight of the people, he said.
The PMD also finds the Rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar newsworthy, but keeps silent when it started to slide once again, said the SJB MP.
Meanwhile, the FPA’s Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said the taxes imposed in a hurry were unbearable for the public.
On the decline of the rupee again, he said, it will become worse once the IMF deal comes through, and noted a strengthening of the economy was the only option.
While imposing taxes to raise revenue, the government should be sensitive to public issues as well, he advised.
In the meantime, SLPP’s Mahindananda Aluthgamage said everyone should survive for the next six months amid all difficulties, or else the economy would suffer further.
