Joint Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardena yesterday alleged that the new Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 had mercilessly targeted the poor. Gunawardena said that even children’s saving accounts hadn’t been spared and was the cause of severe pressure on those struggling to make ends meet. The UPFA MP said so addressing the media at a temple at Punchi Borella.
Gunawardena was flanked by Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Prof. G.L. Pieris and MP and attorney-at-law Sisira Jayakody.
The people had never been taxed the way the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration did it, Gunawardena said.
Asked by The Island whether members of parliament would be deprived of tax exemptions and a range of other facilities as a result of new Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017, Gunawardena said "No’
When pointed out that members, including those representing the JO had received tax exemptions amounting to over 30 mn to procure super luxury vehicles with some transferring the ownership and such privileges were still available in spite of extreme difficulties experienced by the people, Gunawardena said even Mahanayake theras and University teachers received similar facilities.
The MP said that it wasn’t fair to target members of parliament.
The Island also sought an explanation as to the responsibility of parliament regarding public finance, Gunawardena said that members of parliament played an important role.
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