President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday vowed not to allow any tax increases that would burden the general public.

Addressing a ceremony at Polonnaruwa to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the President said there were media reports that the government was preparing to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential commodities. But, he would not allow additional burdens to be heaped on poor masses, according to the President’s Media Unit.

“If there are any officials or economic experts who recommend measures such as increasing VAT aggravating the suffering of people, I am not ready to listen to them; I will send them home,” the President has said.

He said the incumbent government was there to alleviate the suffering of people and not to inflict suffering on them.

The president said that his government would continue its forward march without reverting to the era of exploiting people by slapping taxes on them.

He said that the government that came to power on January 08, 2015 had been able to end nepotism, corruption, family bandyism, fraud and dictatorship and his New Year resolution was to relieve the people of their suffering.

While the government was taking giant strides in developing the country those who had lost power were making various attempts to sabotage such moves, the President said.

Chief Minister of the North Central Province Peshala Jayaratne, MPs Siripala Gamlath, Nalaka Kolonne, Sydney Jayaratne had been among those present on the occasion, the President’s Media Unit added.

Courtesy:The Island