VAT increase bill : Namal to go against Govt?

December 11, 2023 at 1:17 PM

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa says he will not participate in the vote on the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Bill in Parliament today, as the VAT proposed in the Budget 2024 is very high.

Speaking to reporters, MP Rajapaksa said there should be a fair tax concession and a Tax system that could be borne by the public. 

“The tax increase will not benefit the nation or the public if the Tax network is not expanded. People who opposed the tax cuts by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa Government are now once again opposing tax increases,” he said.

The former minister further said that Tax should not be used as a political tool by various political parties.

Stating that he had informed the SLPP of his decision concerning the vote on the VAT Bill, MP Rajapaksa said that the SLPP will hold a discussion later today and decide on its stance on the vote. (NewsWire)