The current tax burden on the people could be removed in a short period of time as a result of the government’s commitment to practice financial disciplines, says Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. He added that the government has taken every possible measures to eliminate waste and corruption in this regard.

Coincident with the forthcoming Ramadan festival, dry rations were distributed among low income group families of the Muslim community in Colombo North area Tuesday (July5). Addressing the ceremony held at the minister’s political office at Thotalanga, Minister Karunanayake further said:

“A President who ruled this country for 11 years questioned us today about Value Added Tax (TAX). 20% VAT burden was imposed on the people during their regime; therefore I would like to ask him whether they have forgotten the recent past to question me about increase in VAT. We also would like to reduce the cost of living and remove the burden from the ordinary people. However we are unable to reject the dowry of debts passed on us by the Rajapaksa regime.

Rs.288 billion spent for the Hambantota harbor but its monthly revenue is only 3.4 million rupees. The UNP government estimated to construct the Southern Highway at a cost of 60 billion rupees but Rajapaksa regime spent 128 billion rupees to build the Southern Highway. People are suffering today consequent to the loans obtained during the Rajapaksa government at high interest rates such as 8%. Therefore, I challenge former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to participate in a debate with me for two hours and, argue on the country’s economy, without making false statements at every nook and corner.

These are the politicians who have planned to set up new political parties to come before the people asking a mandate to rule the country again. Such endeavors are also good on one hand, because they will realize what their current position is. We can well remember the lesson taught by the people to such politicians who attempted to form third level or fourth level forces in the past.

There are only two major political parties in this country. One of them is Sri Lanka Freedom party led by the President. The other is United national Party led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Today, the country is governed by these two leaders in unison. Those who are trying to form alternative political forces should realize this ground truth”, the minister added.

Several former town councilors and a large number of residents in the area participated in the ceremony.