(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the government should not be a burden to the masses when it comes to taxes and the tax collection system should be simplified.
Even though a government requires tax income, those funds should not be collected through burdening the public, Rajapaksa said after assuming duties in his capacity as the Minister of Finance today.
The Prime Minister said considering the high cost of living at present, the government will take steps to provide relief to the public in future.
Expressing his views on the fuel price formula introduced by the unity government, Prime Minister Rajapaksa said the fuel price formula need to be revised and a new mechanism should be introduced to bring the fuel prices in the market under control. He said the fuel price formula raised many concerns among the public.
The Prime Minister said since at present everything is imported the local farmer has been unfairly treated. In the future priority will be given to the local products and make the country self-sufficient to give local farmers an opportunity, he said.
