Priority of Govt. to bring down cost of living

12 November 2018 05:32 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Priority of the government would be given to addressing burning economic issues like the sharp depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, ease the heavy tax burden on people and bring down the cost of living, Finance State Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

Minister Yapa noted that the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry was in the process of preparing a long, middle and short term strategic plan to plug the depreciation of rupee, bring down the cost of living and a new tax regime that would not put unnecessary burden on the tax payer.

He told the media after assuming duties as the State Minister of Economic Affairs that most of the new economic, monetary and tax policies would be incorporated in the budget 2019.

“We have already given a package or relief to the people soon after the Mahinda Rajapaksa government was formed. The much hated fuel price formula has been withdrawn. More benefits are on the pipeline. But we must admit that we cannot ignore the global and domestic factors when we provide you various relieve. People had been thoroughly disappointed and unhappy over the handling of the economy by the previous government. We try our best to avoid economic and monetary policies of the last government that affected the day today life of the people,” he stressed.

Minister Yapa stressed the need of a complete overhaul of the tax system of the country. Tax evasion was widespread, indirect tax ration was high and direct tax ration was low. There was a shortfall in tax collection than targeted tax revenue every year. The problem faced by the government was to provide relief to the people while facing all these setbacks, Minister Yapa pointed out.

Minister Yapa emphasized that sustainable national economic, tax and monetary policies that would not change with the change of governments was extremely vital if Sri Lana was to achieve sustainable economic progress.

Prime Minister and Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former Ministers Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, Dunesh Gankanda, Dr. Sudharshini Fernandopulle and Secretary, Finance S.R. Atygalle were also present at the ceremony. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 19

channa Monday, 12 November 2018 05:45 PM

ofcourse yes. till the election finishes

Samayang Monday, 12 November 2018 05:46 PM

First of all find a dentist to fill the gap of your teeth.

Priority Monday, 12 November 2018 05:47 PM

You are right the priority of the govt is to bring down the cost of living and the priority of the people at the next election is to send you all home without swendling the people's money anymore.

Dee Monday, 12 November 2018 05:50 PM

Which Government?

World's end Monday, 12 November 2018 05:51 PM

We try our best to avoid economic and monetary policies of the last government ..that means you may do exactly the same...but MR will dress it up to make it look like his idea ..bigger and better .The problem is ,SL has now only one direction to look for help ...so better all learn Chinese not English pretty fast

vasaliya Monday, 12 November 2018 05:52 PM

hmmmmphhh hahahaha....

Saman Monday, 12 November 2018 05:54 PM

Until the election is over.

Paul Monday, 12 November 2018 05:56 PM

They can fool some people for some time but they can't fool all the people all the time.

citizen Monday, 12 November 2018 06:01 PM

Please dont do window dressing.

nk Monday, 12 November 2018 06:01 PM

Shameless politicians are cheating people continually ,We can't blame them because that's their job to get votes ,Do we really need politicians ?

Sofia Monday, 12 November 2018 06:05 PM

Same problems he is talking about but when the previous govt said them they did not accept it. Also Tax collections were the highest ever last year. Usual political rhetoric.

shan Monday, 12 November 2018 06:10 PM

Priority of the government? What government? are these people stupid

Moiez Monday, 12 November 2018 06:10 PM

This is all bullshit talk to tease the people, we dont want to listen, get lost. Enough is enough your fairy tale.

Ronnie Monday, 12 November 2018 06:10 PM

Do something about the lkr before we end up like cambodia or vietnam. Other option maybe to follow ecuador and dollarize the economy.

joshua Monday, 12 November 2018 06:12 PM

here is a big burning issue in front of everybody which is the constitution. You are talking of COL. Tell me how you can bring the COL down when the economy is in crisis? You all should be chased out

Sathees Monday, 12 November 2018 06:19 PM

Priority for the masses is to know who is the legitimate rulers!

Johan Monday, 12 November 2018 06:25 PM

During MR period before three and half years not a single item the price was reduced. You can prepare a list and compare. Every one is preaching but after coming to power the same story

Shelley @gmail.com Monday, 12 November 2018 06:44 PM

See how this so called Minister taking byyas for a ride by talking of non existing Govt. Priydharshana by name.But very ugly by actions.

Concerned Monday, 12 November 2018 06:49 PM

Another grave concern of the middle class is the excessive interest levied on credit cards. . Within a short period of time the available balance is choked up due to the enormous difficulties faced by the common man . Then he is faced with the plight of paying high interest monthly.I hope that this too can be reduced to ease the burden,

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Priority of Govt. to bring down cost of living

Comments - 19

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