News
SJB protests against taxing those who earn Rs.100,000 as CoL has risen by 300%
By Akitha Perera
The government should realise that the cost of living has risen by 300 percent before taxing those who make 100,000 rupees, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Ranjith Maddumabandara said, addressing the media in Colombo.The price of food and transport has increased dramatically, he said.
“The tax cuts by Gotabaya Rajapaksa were disastrous. We need to increase direct taxes. However, the government must realize that 100,000 rupees is not a big amount, given the cost of living. Starting taxes at 100,000 rupees is silly,” he said.
Maddumabandara said most salary earners are struggling to feed their families. Around two million people have lost jobs and the small and medium scale enterprises are on the verge of collapse, he said.
“A person who makes 300,000 rupees has to pay 36 percent of the income as taxes. The big businessman who makes a billion rupees a month also pays 36 percent. Taxation is a delicate balance, and this is extortion,” he said.The SJB General Secretary added that small and medium scale enterprises are the backbone of the country. These enterprises receive no assistance from the government, he said.
“Allies of the Rajapaksa family have embezzled billions of dollars. The government must take action against them. The government must take steps to bring export earnings back to the country. It should stop corrupt deals that are still taking place. Has the government taken any action against those involved in the sugar scam or those who sold cancerous coconut oil?” he said.
Maddumabandara said people who can no longer tolerate the continuous economic pain have taken to the streets. Given that parents can’t afford child care, they are compelled to bring children to protests, he said.
“The President now says parents use children as human shields and compares protesters to LTTE cadres. Has he shown any concern for the children? Or presented the people with a plan to get out of this mess? Why is he protecting economic terrorists?” he said.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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