Govt. holding people hostage to increase revenue: G.L.

• Calls for better transparency relating to State expenditure 
• Accuses Govt. of not listening to working population of the country 
• Says the brain drain must be stopped immediately due to effects on all sectors 
• Stresses need to hold LG polls prior to implementing 13A 

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday accused the Government of holding the country’s people hostage as it attempts to increase its earnings. 

“The Government must not hold the people hostage, when increasing State revenue,” he said while calling for better transparency relating to State expenditure. 

The MP addressing a press conference said the Government is not heeding the calls of the country’s working population. Peiris said the mass exodus of professionals from the country will severely affect various sectors and the brain drain should therefore be stopped immediately. 

According to Peiris, the first task for any new Government to be appointed next would be to formulate a tax policy based on the opinions of academics and experts in the field.

The MP stressed the need to hold Local Government elections prior to implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. “The SLPP’s General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has said the party will not support 13A. If the President is to implement his proposals then the support of the SLPP is imperative,” he noted. Commenting on the Government’s failure to hold polls, Peiris said the Government quite clearly fears the mandate of the people.