The government has decided to increase the taxes imposed on liquor, cigarettes and farm oil while reducing the percentage of the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on private health services, Minister of Special Assignments Dr. Sarath Amunugama said.
Addressing a press briefing held at the SLFP headquarters in Colombo today, he stated that the decision was taken when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs met and that it will be submitted to the next Cabinet meeting for approval.
The minister further said that several MPs who are currently in the “Joint Opposition” are prepared to join the government.
He refused to elaborate on any names and numbers but said that the amount can be figured when looking at the MPs who did not vote in favour of the recent no-confidence motion against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake.
On the topic of extending the term of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank governor, the minister said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) oppose the extending of Arjuna Mahendran’s term of office.
He stated that not only the SLFP, even the people are against it and that a new Governor should be appointed for the top position of the Central Bank.
