News
JVP lashes SLPP’s VAT “dupliciy”
The SLPP’s political duplicity is amply displayed by its double standards on VAT increase, says the JVP-led NPP.
Former JVP MP and NPP executive committee member, Sunil Handunnetti, speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters in Pelawatte on Thursday said that SLPP leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa voted to pass the VAT amendment bill in Parliament making laws to impose increased VAT starting from January. A couple of days after voting for the increase, he now issues a statement against VAT.
“Mahinda Rajapaksa is acting like Dawal Miguel and Re Daniel now. He led the SLPP in voting to pass the VAT increase in parliament and is now claiming that they are against the tax policy. President Ranil Wickremesinghe alone cannot pass the VAT Bill. He has only one MP in parliament. VAT was increased with the backing of SLPP MPs,” Hadunnetti said.
“If the SLPP led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had not voted in favour, the VAT increase would not have been possible. Now he issues a statement finding fault with the government for the VAT increase. Everybody knows that VAT would not come down because of statements. What the SLPP should have actually done was to defeat the VAT bill in parliament. But their political double standard would not let them do so,” Handunnetti said.
He said that Rajapaksa, while proving by actions of his double standards, accuses Ranil Wickremesinghe of having two different policies. “Then why did the Rajapaksas elect Ranil Wickremesinghe as the President? By actions, Rajapaksa has proven that he stands with Ranil and then he cries for people’s plight further worsened by VAT.”
Commenting on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s call for a people-friendly government, Handunnetti said that the entire nation was demanding a regime change. “People are now convinced that they need a people-friendly government. People are waiting to do this at an election. It is the government that continues with the support of the Rajapaksas that does not permit the election the people are yearning for,” Handunnetti said.NPP Economic Council Member Prof Anil Jayanta and executive committee member Chaturanga Abeysinghe also addressed the news conference.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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