Treasury Is Full, but People Get No Relief, Opposition MP Says

Sri Lanka's treasury may be filling with tax revenue, but the public is receiving no meaningful relief, opposition lawmaker Mujibur Rahman said on Aug. 31.

Rahman, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya member of parliament, said the government could have reduced fuel prices by a larger amount but chose not to do so. He made the remarks at a media briefing at the party's main office in Colombo.

He accused the ruling National People's Power administration, led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, of failing to deliver promises in its election manifesto, titled "A Rich Country, A Beautiful Life." The manifesto had promised to remove taxes imposed on people, fuel and goods and services, he said.

Rahman said those promised concessions had not been provided during the past two years. At the same time, prices for essential goods and services have risen sharply, while the cost of living continues to increase. He put inflation at 7.2% and said prices could rise further as the cost of several goods increases.

Wages have not kept pace with prices, he said, leaving people with steadily weaker purchasing power. Rahman also accused the government of failing to establish a program to reduce the burden on households. He described the market as uncertain and said the public is bearing the consequences.

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Although the treasury is filled with people's tax money, the government is not giving the people any relief from it