VAT Increase for the Benefit Of The Public – Ranjan

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said, that the 15% Value Added Tax increase imposed on goods and services was a decision taken by the Government for the well being of the public.

He said the former government led Sri Lanka into a debt trap. He  was responding to the fundamental rights petition filed by the National Freedom Front against the VAT amendment yesterday.

He quoted the leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who said the country is sunk in debt of close to 10 trillion rupees.The Deputy Minister said this is not a move by the government to hinder or burden the public.

In the meantime Anura Kumara said in a meeting recently that the Government cannot take refuge under the debt trap made by Mahinda.It is unreasonable to ask the people to bear the brunt. It should be recovered from the Fraudulent officers and politicians of the previous regime responsible for it.