Government taking measures to reduce tax burden: Finance Minister

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake, while emphasising that the people have to bear an unnecessary financial burden due to the actions of the previous Government, assured that the Government would take all possible measures to reduce the tax burden.

Speaking to media after meeting with the Maha Nayakas (Chief Prelates) of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters in Kandy on Sunday, the Finance Minister said the Government’s aim is to implement the public mandate given to President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The Minister met with the Maha Nayaka of Asgiri Chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera and the Maha Nayaka of Malwathu Chapter Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera and apprised them of the Government’s programs for economic development and the relief given to the public.

Karunanayake said a few members among the group who joined in the Unity Government after formation of the good governance by the President and the Prime Minister have been attempting to create problems for the rule while enjoying ministerial portfolios and, they should realise that the President and the Prime Minister have engaged in one integrated journey.

Those who worked fulltime to prevent the happening of good governance rule later joined in the same administration and their current attempt to put the Government in trouble is clear evidence to their malice, the Minister said.

He also said that the duty and responsibility of the Government is to implement the mandate given by the innocent people of this country on 8 January and criticism made by certain individuals who seized ministerial positions through bargains in good governance is futile.

He said that budget allocations for some of inactive ministries have been curtailed and the relevant ministers are complaining but he is not going to answer such calls. The Minister further said that the Government is marching on a people-friendly journey by curtailing tax and minimising waste and corruption.

Finance Minister Karunanayake said that the country would fall into crisis if the Government were to work according to the statements issued by some provincial governors and chief ministers and the President and the Prime Minister have been doing enough according to the Constitution thereby protecting the sovereignty of the country while maintaining harmony among all communities.

“‘Good Governance’ has walked and extra mile to restore not only five-star democracy but seven-star democracy in the island. Neither the white-van culture nor abductions are reported today. No incident of assault is reported either. However the process of bringing the perpetrators to book for their irregularities committed during the previous regime is delayed because such process is being done according to the rule of law,” Minister Karunanayake said.

The Minister during his audience with the two Mahanayakes told them that the proposals made by them to be considered for Budget 2017 have been included accordingly. The Mahanayakes proposed to grant a monthly stipend for student monks and necessary allocation to implement the grant has been made in the budget. The Minister further said that a mechanism to pay the said grant would be launched on the advice of the Chief Prelates.

Responding to the Minister, the Malwathu Chief Prelate said that a country cannot move without revenue. However the Nayake Thera said that it is the responsibility of the Government to maintain reasonable prices on essential commodities despite various public tariffs.

At this juncture, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the current Government has taken measures to bring down the prices of 24 essential items out of 25 after the presidential election.