Namal blames ‘Aragalaya’ for tax hike

MP Namal Rajapaksa said there would not have been an increase in taxes if not for the ‘Aragalaya’ peoples’ protest and the ouster of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Namal said the public raised questions earlier to former President Gotabaya  Rajapaksa as to why fuel prices and taxes were not increased, and why the Government did not reach out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“The answers to all these questions are available now with the current increase in fuel prices and taxes. If the ‘Aragalaya’ was not carried out and Gotabaya Rajapaksa not chased away, these increases in tax and utility bills would not have occurred,” MP Rajapaksa said.

Pointing out that the ‘Aragalaya’ got rid of a leader who reduced taxes and utility bills for the convenience of the public, MP Rajapaksa said.

MP Namal said that, however, it was essential to strengthen the National Economic Mechanism in order to face this situation, instead of blaming the IMF criteria and taxing the same group of people repeatedly.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has informed the President of the need to take policy decisions in this regard within the upcoming Budget proposal, MP Rajapaksa added.

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