New taxes and problems faced by the people!

- Virakesari Editorial

(August 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) People are facing economic crisis as a result of high cost of living. It is the accusation of the entire people that proactive steps are not taken to reduce the economic burden of the people. Meanwhile, it can be noted that taxes and fees are increasing. Government hopes to collect money from a series of taxes on people who own cars, mobile phones, standard light bulbs and firms that use telecom transmission towers. It will also charge a two percent levy on top of ten percent mobile subscriber levy from August 15.

From August 15th onwards 2% tax is going to be levied from the mobile phone users every month. It is also planned to levy additional Rs 3 from house holders who use bulbs which are above 40watts.

Today 90 percent of the people have Telephone and hand phone facilities. Telephone has become an important house hold item. If a tax is charged, then ordinary people will be affected.

Meanwhile, people express dissatisfaction over the decision to charge a tax from the householders, who use bulbs, which are above 40watts. Students regret that it is difficult to study in the light of 40watts.
It is the people's accusation that money is wasted unnecessarily for entertainment and other unnecessary expenses.

"The government is attempting to recuperate the wasteful expenditures incurred for the SAARC by way of introducing new taxes", opposition united National Party Parliamentarian Tissa Attnayake charges.

In any case, when people are facing economic crisis, it is essential that people's burdens are not increased. If not, poverty will be rampant!

(An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian