Monday 14th of October 2024

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Government Reaches Agreement with IMF to Revise PAYE tax Policy


2024-08-28 32704


Government Pledges to Provide Public Relief and Safeguard the Economy
Economic Collapse Could Threaten People’s Livelihoods
Sajith and Anura Urged to Explain Their Economic Plans Amid Calls for
Lower Taxes and Higher Spending
The Path Advocated by Sajith and Anura Could Lead to Shortages of Gas,
Fuel, Medicine, Food
Citizens Must Choose Between Returning to 2022 Conditions or
Supporting the Current Government
- President says in Eheliyagoda

 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the government has reached an
agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revise the Pay As You Earn
(PAYE) tax, a significant concern for the public. He assured that following further
discussions, relief measures would be implemented as soon as possible. The President
made these remarks while addressing the "Puluwan Sri Lanka" victory rally held near
the new market in Eheliyagoda this afternoon (28).


The rally, organized to affirm President Wickremesinghe's candidacy in the upcoming
presidential election, saw a large turnout from the Eheliyagoda area. During his speech,
the President emphasized the government's awareness of the challenges faced by the
citizens and stressed the importance of providing relief while safeguarding the country's
economy. He warned that if the economy were to collapse, there would be no country
left for people to live in.


Furthermore, the President criticized Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake
for making unrealistic promises about reducing taxes and easing the people's burdens.
He cautioned that following their proposed path could lead to severe shortages, leaving
the public once again without essential supplies such as gas, fuel, and medicine.
Expressing his views further the President said;


I have previously visited Eheliyagoda and held meetings where the focus was often on
blaming and criticizing one another. However, today, we stand united on the same
platform, having chosen to come together to save our country.


When we faced a crisis with shortages of gas, medicine and financial resources, we
worked collectively to rebuild the nation. Unfortunately, the Jana Balawegaya, led by
my friend Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by
my former deputy Mr. Sajith Premadasa, chose not to join us. They accused us of
coming together for personal gain. This highlights a fundamental difference between
us: while they prioritize their party interests, we remain committed to the country and
its people.


I am running in this year's presidential election to seek a public mandate to continue the
efforts we have made over the past two years to rebuild the country. There are two main
political forces in this country, and although they may move quickly, they fail to grasp
the struggles of the people. In contrast, we understand these struggles, which is why we
have worked to stabilize the economy. Over the last two years, we have systematically
reduced prices and provided relief to the public. However, we recognize that the people
deserve even more support. This additional relief can only be achieved by strengthening
the rupee and gradually advancing the economy.


With the appreciation of the rupee, the cost of goods can be reduced, allowing us to
provide relief to the people. This is the path we must follow. Currently, income tax has
become a significant issue. We have reached an agreement with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) on the need to revise it, and I can confirm that a basic decision
has already been made. Both parties have submitted proposals, and once we have
discussed and agreed on a common approach, we will be able to provide relief to the
public

.
As President, my mandate is to strengthen the country's economy and reduce the cost of
living for our citizens. We aim to provide relief through tax reforms and cost-of-living
adjustments. Additionally, we are focused on creating employment opportunities for
young people and accelerating Sri Lanka's development to build a robust economy. I
will outline this vision in my manifesto, which will be presented tomorrow.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa have recently claimed that they will
reduce taxes and provide relief to the public. However, we must ask: is it truly possible
to lower taxes and still offer relief? Lowering taxes would decrease government
revenue, making it difficult to manage expenses and potentially increasing inflation.
If revenues decline while expenses rise, the economy risks collapsing again. Therefore,
Mr. Dissanayake and Mr. Premadasa must explain how they intend to sustain the
economy under these conditions. People need to recognize that the path they propose
could lead to a situation where essential resources, such as gas, fuel, and medicine, are
unavailable. I urge everyone to consider this carefully.

MP Akila Ellawala


At the start of every election, we often emphasize its importance. However, this year’s
Presidential Election is more critical than any previous one. Some suggest that even if
someone else comes to power, their tenure will last only six months, after which
President Ranil Wickremesinghe will need to assume leadership again.
Two years ago, the country faced severe challenges with queues everywhere, leading to
widespread struggles and agitation. We cannot afford on-going disruptions, especially
when it comes to our children’s education. Therefore, I urge you to vote wisely and not
be swayed by social media posts or the number of flags on display.

MP Mudita Soysa


In the past, we experienced a severe economic crisis, leading to shortages of essential
goods like gas, fuel, food and milk powder for children. The country fell into an era of
long queues, and the economy was in complete disarray. At that time, when President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested the opposition to take over the government, today’s
boasters Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake withdrew. The only leader
who stepped forward to take charge during that crisis was President Ranil
Wickremesinghe. Therefore, it is essential to support President Wickremesinghe in
building a prosperous future for our country and its future generations.
 

State Minister Janaka Vakkambura


In the last election, we secured 465,000 votes from Ratnapura. I am confident that we
will surpass this number and secure victory for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the
Ratnapura district with over 500,000 votes. I assert this with conviction because you
took charge of the country during a time of severe crises, including long gas and fuel
queues and over 13-hour power cuts. You resolved these issues within three months,
which is why the people of Ratnapura are rallying behind your success.
Today, if you ask ten people in this area, eight will express their intention to vote for
President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Tomorrow, President Wickremesinghe will present
the most practical and realistic manifesto of any candidate in this election. As a genuine
independent candidate, he has chosen a symbol that resonates deeply with the people of
this country—the Gas Cylinder. This symbol is highly appropriate for the election
battle. I declare that we are all working to ensure his victory with this memorable
symbol.
 

Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana


While President Mahinda Rajapaksa deserves credit for ending the war in our country,
President Ranil Wickremesinghe should be recognized for his efforts in addressing the
economic challenges we face. The feedback we are receiving is overwhelmingly
positive, and President Wickremesinghe is currently leading in most districts.
It is anticipated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be reappointed as President
on September 22nd, following support from the Ratnapura District and the Eheliyagoda
Constituency. Recently, I received a Lebanese -pound 100,000 note, which, despite its
appearance, highlights the severity of the economic crisis. Venezuela has been
grappling with economic turmoil for ten years, with people even dying for a loaf of
bread. Greece, a pioneer of democracy, has experienced 20 government changes while
still struggling with its economic crisis. Zimbabwe faces annual inflation rates of 200%.
I urge you to entrust the future of this country to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, an
experienced and capable leader who has steered us away from such dire economic
prospects and set us on the path to recovery.
 

MP Rohitha Abegunawardhana;


Previously, we saw presidents emerge from our party ranks, including Former
Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
However, today, various parties have united to fulfil a national responsibility and work
towards the success of our presidential candidate, President Ranil Wickremesinghe,
who is running as an independent for the upcoming presidential election.
Our collective effort is not about positions or titles; it’s about securing the country’s
future and preventing anarchy. You may recall those two years ago, the country
experienced a state of lawlessness. As the army and police were side-lined and former
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country, we handed over the Premiership to you.
During that time, activists of “Aragalaya” took control of key locations like the Temple
Trees, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office. On May 09th, we
saw violence extend even to hospitals where injured people were assaulted.
Mr. President, I personally support your victory to end this lawlessness and restore the
rule of law for the safety and stability of our nation.
Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province, Navin Dissanayake;
As a person who is working for presidential elections since 1988, I believe this election
is pivotal for the future of our country. It is a crucial moment that will determine the
direction of our country.
Today, across all political divides, we have united to support President Ranil
Wickremesinghe as our next leader on September 21. We all agree that the nation’s
well-being outweighs party interests.
Although I am the son of a prominent leader from the United National Party (UNP), our
shared goal transcends past affiliations. We are united in our mission to advance this
country. Under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, we have witnessed a
revival of freedom and democracy over the past two years. His leadership has enabled
us to hold election rallies and reduced violence.
President Wickremesinghe is a seasoned and visionary leader capable of uniting all
factions. He has earned the respect and trust necessary to lead our nation. Therefore, I
firmly believe that he is the most qualified candidate to guide Sri Lanka into the future.
 

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi;


In the recently launched manifesto of Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the NPP, it is
proposed that both direct and indirect taxes will be reduced, which would lead to a
decrease in government revenue. This plan also suggests an increase in national
expenditure. This is the vision laid out by Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
In contrast, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government, which we formed,
faced significant economic challenges due to the policies of the NPP, resulting in
national instability and decline. Under President Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership,
our economy, which was once in critical condition, has been stabilized and moved from
intensive care to a recovery phase. Our current task is to fully rehabilitate this economic
recovery and ensure a stable future.
As responsible citizens, we must avoid supporting policies like those proposed by the
NPP, which could potentially jeopardize our progress and return us to economic
instability. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is now stepping into the role previously held by
Sajith Premadasa, each offering various promises. Our country needs a leader with a
realistic vision to advance the economy, not one who relies on traditional political
promises or seeks to win votes through superficial measures. On September 22, it is
crucial that voters reject those who attempt to gain popularity through empty assurances
and instead support a leader who can genuinely drive our nation forward.
Former Opposition Leader of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Siripala Kiriella;
Today, some critics are targeting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, despite his
extensive career spanning over 40 years as a MP, Minister, Prime Minister, and now
President. Throughout his service, he has not taken a salary or vehicle license,
demonstrating his integrity and dedication. Such a leader of high moral standing is rare
in today’s presidential race.
I hope that under President Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership, we will see a
prosperous future for all citizens of this country, transcending political divides and
uniting people beyond the colours of green, blue, and yellow.
Former Provincial Council Minister, Athula Kumara Rahubadda;
President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed responsibility during a period when forming
a government and addressing the country’s crises seemed impossible. When other
leaders in Parliament were unable to take control, he stepped up to the challenge and
undertook the monumental task of ending shortages of gas, fuel, and food.
Now, as the country, which had faced significant setbacks, begins to recover, we are
once again approaching a presidential election. As the Sri Lanka Freedom Party
(SLFP), we are fully committed to supporting President Wickremesinghe. We are
working together to ensure his victory and will contribute our utmost support and
 
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