President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the government will take steps to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on school books, with further details expected to be presented in the upcoming Budget.
Addressing a public rally in Nochchiyagama today (13), President Dissanayake said the necessary plans were already being formulated to remove the tax, describing the measure as part of the government's efforts to ease the burden on the general public.
The President also announced plans to absorb a further 121,000 individuals into the state sector, including approximately 23,000 teachers.
He said strengthening the economy would enable the government to make greater investments in the country's future.
Meanwhile, addressing another public rally in Kahatagasdigiliya today, President Dissanayake called for a fundamental transformation of Sri Lanka's political culture, criticising the practice of political power being passed from one generation to another.
"Some thought that when the father becomes President, the son should also become President. We need to change that," he said.
The President also rejected suggestions that the Government was organising public rallies because it was facing political threats or concerns over its stability.
"Do we have threats? Is that why we are holding rallies? No. This government has no threats. We are not scared," President Dissanayake said.
He said a strong public movement was needed to rebuild the country and called for major changes to Sri Lanka's political, social and economic systems.
"We need to rebuild the country and change the political culture. We need a political transformation. We need major changes in society, the economy and politics," he said.
President Dissanayake also highlighted what he described as changes introduced by the National People's Power (NPP) government since September 2024, saying the administration had begun dismantling political practices and privileges that had become established over the years.
Among the changes he pointed to were alterations to the security arrangements provided to politicians. He said the large convoys that previously accompanied politicians during visits to villages were no longer the norm.
"Now the police are there only for the protection of the public," he said.
The President said the government was continuing efforts to move the country in a new direction by changing what he described as the old political culture and establishing a different approach to governance.
