Samagi Jana Balavega Member of Parliament Harsha De Silva said that he is happy to get the approval of the IMF Executive Committee for the $3 billion facility.
He also said that he would like to express his thanks to the President for making the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna understand the true situation, which until recently was completely opposed to receiving IMF relief.
However, the MP said that he does not approve of charging the highest marginal tax rate of 36% to those who earn 300,000 rupees per month and said that it should be amended so that the maximum rate of 24 to 25% can be charged to those who earn approximately 500,000 rupees per month.
He said that as this is just the beginning of a long journey, it is essential to unite regardless of party affiliation as stated by the President. He explained that more than 95 percent of government revenue is tax revenue, while non-tax revenue is only 5 percent. He said that in order to increase the income, the economy should be expanded.
The MP said this while responding to the President’s speech about the agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the International Monetary Fund.