Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says today said that he believes the primary cause for the current economic crisis is due to the new government discontinuing the work commenced by the previous government.
“I told this government very clearly to continue the work we carried out. If there are any mistakes to look into, do that. We have no issue with that,” he said, addressing an event in Kurunegala.
He compared the situation to keeping a vehicle unused for a year and attempting to restart it while claiming that the Rupee keeps depreciating day-by-day as a result of this.
Rajapaksa said that he advised the government to stop its “conflict” with China and that during his reign the country received aid from all countries including the West.
On the decision to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) to 15 pct, he said that his government did not impose VAT on certain medicinal drugs, water and telecommunication.
He stated that the people will have to bear this burden and will have to pay due to the mistake of the government.
