Budget will raise living standards - UNP (D) Group

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

The United National Party Democratic Group stressed that they would support the budget since the Government has taken all possible steps to uplift the living standards of the people by this budget while considering a boost in local productivity and the economy.

This was revealed at the media briefing held yesterday by the UNP ‘D’ Group at Kirulapone. Addressing the media Mister of Investment Promotions Navin Dissanayake said that a patriotic party can’t defeat the budget as this budget is people friendly.

He said that the Government has catered to the national interests of the country and much attention has been focused on developing infrastructure.

Moves are under way to construct several key projects which would be essential in developing the country such as the Coal Power Plant in Norochcholei, Hambantota Port and Airport at Weerawila and high ways system.

“The `D’ Group will assist the Government to bring the Mahinda Chinthana programme forward since the group is of the view that infrastructure facilities should be developed. Therefore, we believe that supporting the budget is a duty”, he said.

Following the results of good financial discipline, foreign investments have increased in comparison to last year and next year it will increase further since this budget has also considered long term investments.

The VAT on fuel has been brought down from 15 per cent to 5 per cent through the budget even though the Government will lose a significant income. “The price of fuel will come down from January and simultaneously it will bring down the cost of living,” he said.

The UNP is trying to paint a black picture about the budget after they failed to prevent the Dollar Bond.

“The UNP thought that the Government would impose various taxes. When this did not happen the UNP came out with false details about the budget”, said the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge.