Audio: A budget for the super-rich - UNP

8 November 2012 01:19 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The main opposition UNP said today the budget was meant for the country’s super-rich and contained no relief to the ordinary people as evident by the exemption of taxes on sports cars and the permission granted to transfer funds deposited in foreign banks.

UNP MP and economist Harsha De Silva told the Daily Mirror that 99% of the population had been left in the lurch.

“It was presented by 1% of the country to the 0.1% of the country’s population. Who wants racing cars being imported to this country? Is that one of the issues that the people want addressed? The budget catered to the super rich. In fact it even allows the bringing down of deposits from foreign countries which I believe is to be invested in the stock market,” Dr. De Silva said.

“The rest of the country is left in the lurch. The farmers, fishermen and the hardworking people of the country have received no benefit at all. When they asked for a salary hike the government provides an exemption on taxes for racing cars,” he said

UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said the budget was complete eyewash and contained no material benefit for the people except that it had permitted the free flow of black money and the import of racing cars for the elite.

“The only material benefit of the budget is bringing down racing cars such as Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Mazaratis for the super-rich. It has also permitted the free flow of black money which has been deposited abroad,” he said.

Mr. Senasinghe said there was no salary increase or benefit to the ordinary people.

“The farmers, fishermen, private sector and public sector employees received little or nothing from this budget and it is only going to be harder for the people. Nothing has changed and it is a waste of two hours” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 25

J P Rajan Friday, 09 November 2012 05:37 AM

Why always blame the UNP ? Blame the idiot voters !!!

OMG Saturday, 10 November 2012 08:26 AM

Stop complaining and get to know some VIPs. You too can become rich in a week or two.

Percendra Saturday, 10 November 2012 01:01 AM

We know how the peasants vote for 60 years

So good move by Mahinda to look after the rich

ram Friday, 09 November 2012 04:16 PM

Agree, people made themselves poor. Laziness and craziness are carved in to our nerves.

Lobo Friday, 09 November 2012 12:37 PM

Going by Cabraal's stats, if they are true, then most lankans can afford to buy racing cars.

bandara Friday, 09 November 2012 08:36 AM

hello Upu, when and where did you come across poor people agreeing on that

Ruwan Friday, 09 November 2012 07:37 AM

Too much handouts which I am against. Except for physically disabled everyone who is classified as poor in this country is poor becuase he/she is lazy, wastful, whatever earned is spent on unnecessary things, look for the easiest jobs, abuse liquor, abuse wives, abuse children. Look not far just visit nearest 'poor' community around you. They are holding us from progressing as a nation.

There is nothing wrong in giving incentives for people to invest in racing cars and bring F1 to Sri Lanka. With that will come the resultant economic activies which is beneficial to all in general.

sethran Friday, 09 November 2012 07:35 AM

if we are to bring about a sporting culture in the country which will also increase tourism and foreign earinings we need to reduce tax on sports equipment and may be even sport cars.

at the end of the day it is a cost benefit calculation. May be the benefit will not materialise 2013 itself. But the long term benefits need to be understood.

Similiarly just saying helping the poor short term measures like increasing 500 or 1500 is not enough. But with proper macro economic allocations the poverty will eventually reduce.

Mohamed Friday, 09 November 2012 06:50 AM

I also found it interesting to note that 5000/- per Senior Citizen. Lets wait and see how practically it happens.

Mohamed Friday, 09 November 2012 06:47 AM

This is what you called eyewash. When you people will ope your eyes? Within a period of 10 months can you see where is our rupee is standing against other currencies? Wake up! People are starving for food, and struggling to make a living.

Mohamed Friday, 09 November 2012 06:44 AM

Hope you have a bit of brain at least.

Lobo Friday, 09 November 2012 05:49 AM

Very soon it will be match over for him and his team.

xlntgson Friday, 09 November 2012 05:41 AM

Allowing foriegn money to invest here is there even during UNP's time, money laundering suspicion didn't fecilitate it. # Kautilya, 100 senior citizens per town or electorate?

ANTON Thursday, 08 November 2012 01:49 PM

At the moment there is no strong opposition go against MR.
What ever he does is correct, he is the man of the match.
"naduth haamuduruwange baduth haamuduruwange"

Kautilya Friday, 09 November 2012 04:24 AM

There won't be more than 100 people above 65 years age living today among July strikers to receive the dole of Rs. 5000 per month.What an eye wash.

Ettha Friday, 09 November 2012 04:05 AM

What about these? Are these for the super rich?

*Cost of Living allowance for pensioners will be increased by Rs 500

*Monthly allowance of minimum Rs 1,500 will be paid to every public servant, of which Rs 750 will be paid as CoL allowance

*Dairy farmers will be paid Rs 50 per litre of milk

*Senior citizens over 65 years will be paid livelihood allowance of Rs 5,000 per month from January 2013

Upu Friday, 09 November 2012 12:55 AM

What is the wrong of giving incentive to the rich people ? If poor people agreed on that what are you talking ?

MagodisThuma Friday, 09 November 2012 12:38 AM

Yes it's for Super Rich UNP MP's !

hem Friday, 09 November 2012 12:11 AM

you are right..... we should help ordinary people and increase the tax in luxury vehicles.

ruan dayananda Thursday, 08 November 2012 06:55 PM

Maserati not mazarati ........... chk google if your not sure :)

ANON69 Thursday, 08 November 2012 06:53 PM

If you voted wisely, this will not happen either.

Peter Thursday, 08 November 2012 05:38 PM

Country is going through so many economic crises, Nothing addressed in the budget. Very disappointing budget.

krishna Thursday, 08 November 2012 04:57 PM

Even not for the rich.

Curious Thursday, 08 November 2012 02:36 PM

If the UNP got their act together we wont be having this conversation,

jitl Thursday, 08 November 2012 02:17 PM

common all people demand your rights... or let them go !
fight for your rights !

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Audio: A budget for the super-rich - UNP

Comments - 25

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