Budget 2016 – Citizens have high hopes: Poll

Friday, 20 November 2015 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The latest nationwide survey conducted by TNS Lanka, for business magazine LMD, finds an overwhelming majority (99%) of respondents agreeing that Budget 2016 should be both people- and business-friendly.

LMD reports that the need of the hour for respondents is economic relief from the state, especially by way of lower prices for essential goods and services. Coupled with requirement of improvements to the economy and solutions to employment issues, this would create ‘a country with fewer problems,’ respondents to the poll say. A massive 93% of survey participants also hope that the budget would address the income gap in Sri Lanka. A majority of those polled (48%) want businesses to be taxed at higher rates, while 28% disagree, saying that it would be tough for small businesses to pay higher taxes.

Meanwhile, a whopping 97% of respondents would like to see the allocation for the state’s education budget to be raised, as ‘a means for ensuring the future sustainability of the country.’ They also come down heavily on tax evaders, with 95% saying that steps should be taken to nab them.

The latest edition of the pioneering business magazine has been released to leading supermarkets and bookstores in Colombo and the outstations. Its Cover Story features LMD’s Businesspeople Of The Year, whom the magazine describes as the nation’s ‘corporate drivers’ in 2015 (for the full story, and the list, log onto www.LMD.lk).