Budget, futuristic -MEP

The 2011 Budget is a futuristic budget aimed to steer the country along a long-term development path. It is a practical program build Sri Lanka as a five pronged major hub, said the MEP in a press release yesterday.

The release signed by MEP General Secretary Karunathilake Dissanayake said development of the country meant the improvement of the people's living standards. To achieve this Sri Lanka should develop production and service sectors and integrate itself with the global economy.

For this there should be ports, airports and trading and development of internal common amenities and facilities.

The Budget proposals to increase public service salaries by 5 percent, decrease profit tax from 35 to 28 percent, export tax on local goods from 15 to 10 percent, increase IT and communication technology literacy unto 75 percent, simplify tax procedure and other measures should be highly appreciated.

All this and other sundry proposals including the introduction of a pension scheme for private sector and corporation employees and incentives granted for local agricultural and other production should be specially lauded.

All these targets could be attained through the commitment and dedication of all sections to increase production levels, the release added.