SJB protests against taxing those who earn Rs.100,000 as CoL has risen by 300%

By Akitha Perera

The government should realise that the cost of living has risen by 300 percent before taxing those who make 100,000 rupees, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Ranjith Maddumabandara said, addressing the media in Colombo.The price of food and transport has increased dramatically, he said.

“The tax cuts by Gotabaya Rajapaksa were disastrous. We need to increase direct taxes. However, the government must realize that 100,000 rupees is not a big amount, given the cost of living. Starting taxes at 100,000 rupees is silly,” he said.

Maddumabandara said most salary earners are struggling to feed their families. Around two million people have lost jobs and the small and medium scale enterprises are on the verge of collapse, he said.

“A person who makes 300,000 rupees has to pay 36 percent of the income as taxes. The big businessman who makes a billion rupees a month also pays 36 percent. Taxation is a delicate balance, and this is extortion,” he said.The SJB General Secretary added that small and medium scale enterprises are the backbone of the country. These enterprises receive no assistance from the government, he said.

“Allies of the Rajapaksa family have embezzled billions of dollars. The government must take action against them. The government must take steps to bring export earnings back to the country. It should stop corrupt deals that are still taking place. Has the government taken any action against those involved in the sugar scam or those who sold cancerous coconut oil?” he said.

Maddumabandara said people who can no longer tolerate the continuous economic pain have taken to the streets. Given that parents can’t afford child care, they are compelled to bring children to protests, he said.

“The President now says parents use children as human shields and compares protesters to LTTE cadres. Has he shown any concern for the children? Or presented the people with a plan to get out of this mess? Why is he protecting economic terrorists?” he said.