18% VAT hike will push people into an abyss - SJB MP J. C. Alawathuwala says

Multiple factions have continued to raise concerns over the latest VAT hike. 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP J. C. Alawathuwala says that people are afraid of the dawn of 2024, as the new years brings a massive burden onto the people's cost of living. 

Highlighting multiple issues in the 2024 Budget, he pointed out that the people are already finding it very difficult to make ends meet. 

He compared the cost of goods and services in 2023, to 2019, and said that the price of every product has increased threefold. However, the income of the people have not increased. 

A massive number of people who worked in medium scale industries have lost their jobs.

Against such a backdrop, the VAT has been increased.

Alawathuwala called on the government to remove the VAT and take away the burden off the people's shoulders.