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Taxes source for development work - Dep. Finance Minister

by Chilaw special correspondent

"The treasury received its coffers from the taxes levied from the public. Even a small infant paid taxes to the government. So too a ripe old man or anyone else who is constrained to pay taxes to the State one way or the other. It was through these funds the government was able to expedite both development work as well as other ancillary activities for the weal of the people.

In other words, when one partakes a sumptuous dish of dhal, he or she also consumed something else in the bargain, which was the tax levied on the item. It was the same for bread of flour," said Minister of Rural Economy and Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

Minister Gunawardena was speaking at a symposium for businessmen in the Puttalam district present at a panel discussion to review the economic program enunciated by the UNF government held at the Sir Shirley Corea Memorial hall, Chilaw recently.

"However, the government did not tax the essential goods required for the masses, especially different brands of drugs, milk foods, etc. Nevertheless, in place of imported artificial milk foods, it would be better if the production of milk in the country is enhanced, because, then, it could be utilised in our country itself. "An oft spoken topic by people is the unemployment problem.It can be solved overnight. But to do this, the treasury hadn't the funds available. If jobs were to be given, there should be enough money to pay those employed".

Speaking in a different vein, the Minister emphasised that it was not possible for our country to mediate in the US and Iraqi confrontation as eighty per cent of garments manufactured in our country were purchased by America. And a major quota of tea grown in our country too was bought up by the Middle east countries. So that was how an impending war affected our country", he said.

"The other issue at hand is that the government could not control the price of fuel. The price of crude oil in the world market has gone up by thirty six dollars. So therefore, the Petroleum Corporation could be salvaged only through the increase of oil price, the Minister added.

Puttalam district MPs Neomal Perera and Palitha Ranga Bandara, Wayamba NWPC Opposition Leader Asoka Wadigamangawa, Wayamba Provincial Councillors Ayub Khan and Shantha Sisira Kumara also spoke.

 

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