Ranil Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka president economy Government crisis Party Provident Citizens Ranil Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka

“I’m not here to be popular; new tax policy is an unpopular decision” – President

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that if the country continues according to the existing plan, Sri Lanka can rise out of bankruptcy by 2026.While delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session, President Wickremesinghe said that people will realize the importance of the present unpopular decisions in two to three years."Due to the measures taken, we have been successful in reducing the burden gradually.

Now there is stability in the economy. People are comfortable. We have been able to safely guide Mother Sri Lanka a long way across a challenging course.

It was not an easy journey. However, it is not yet over," said the President.He added that the government is committed to securing the financial system that was on the verge of collapse, noting that the government expenditure was controlled, while measures were taken to increase tax revenue."We know that tax revenues decreased due to decisions taken in the past.

As at 31st December 2019, 1.6 million businesses, companies and individuals paid taxes. However, by December 2021, the number of tax payers decreased to five hundred thousand.

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