‘Development oriented budget’ - SLNSS General Secretary

Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) General Secretary Leslie Devendra yesterday told the Daily News that the Budget is aimed at achieving the development goals of the country.

He was of the view that the prevailing tax system has been simplified and the people at large benefit by Budget proposals. “One tax was introduced by the budget instead of several taxes imposed on goods,” he said.

He opined that the simplification of tax system will reduce the prices of essential commodities.

Devendra added that the Government has done its best in terms of providing salary increments to the Government servants. “A Government servant gets an increase of Rs 1,200 with a Rs 600 Cost of Living increment and five percent salary increments from January 2011. The income tax payable limit has been increased up to Rs 400,000 in the private sector. This will provide relief to most privet sector employees.

He welcomed the Government’s move for the recruitment of 10,000 graduates to Government institutions and enrolment of another contingent of 1,500 graduates to Government Banks and financial institutions.

He opined that the tourism industry will receive an impetus due to various budget proposals made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday.

“This is a development oriented Budget which will definitely increase the income of the people”.