GL sees no relief for people with VAT hike making things worse

SLPP dissident MP Prof G. L. Peiris yesterday said that the Budget proposals presented for the year 2024 contained no relief for the people. There is a promise of Rs 10,000 allowance for the public sector workers but they would have to wait till next April to get that. The pensioners, too, will have to wait till they get their Rs 2,500 allowance promised in the Budget proposals. The VAT was introduced by the Budget proposals and that had resulted in skyrocketing the cost of living. Prices of all commodities are on the rise because of the recent VAT. There have been 700,000 cases of electricity disconnections up until now because people are not able to cope with the increased electricity prices. None of these issues has been addressed by this Budget, Prof Peiris told the media commenting on the Budget proposals presented to Parliament by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.