SJB MP Pathirana suggests jacking up price of fags by Rs. 20 to resolve teachers’ salary demand

The SJB yesterday asked the government to increase the price of a cigarette by Rs. 20 and utilize the proceeds to rectify teachers’ salary anomalies.

SJB Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana said that the prices of cigarettes had not been increased since 2019 and if the prices of cigarettes were increased by Rs. 20 per stick, the Treasury would be able to collect an extra Rs. 50 billion annually.

If the relevant measure was introduced, a total of Rs. 100 billion can be collected between 2021 and 2022.

MP Pathirana said that only Rs. 55 billion was required to solve the teacher’s salary anomaly.

The MP said that over 50 people died daily due to tobacco while 22,000 people died annually.

State Minister Susil Premjayantha said that the issue could not be solved as quickly due to the need to ensure that other sectors were not harmed by taking that decision.

The Minister said that the Ministry had informed the teacher’s unions that the matter would be addressed in the upcoming budget and commended the suggestion to increase the price of cigarettes.