JVP holds demonstration in Fort against VAT tax increase

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)?staged a demonstration?near the Fort railway station today?against the?recent VAT tax hike implemented by the Government which resulted in the price of most vehicles and other products going up.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and several other JVP members took part in the demonstration.

The JVP, which backed President Maithripala Sirisena at the last Presidential election, said that the VAT is a burden on the public.

The new 15 percent VAT was implemented recently?but the Government insists that several items have been?exempted.

VAT was?increased from 11 percent to 15 percent?and among the items exempted are petrol and diesel and aviation fuel as well as wheat, rice, milk powder, mobile phones and healthcare services and education.

However water, telephone charges and other key items have been included in the new VAT and this has resulted in strong opposition being raised against it. (Colombo Gazette)