The increasing public dissension over the increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT) from Monday (1) has pushed the Government into damage control mode. It is in such a backdrop that President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka has stated that the Government will take severe action against those who spread falsehoods about the VAT increase among people.

Ratnayaka has noted that legal action will be initiated against those who spread lies and instigate people against the VAT increase. He has said that there is information that some parties with vested interests have been creating dissent and displeasure against the Government by spreading false accounts about the VAT increase.

Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar has reacted strongly against the Government’s warning of severe action against false claims over the VAT. “They say that those who talk about VAT will be sent to prison. Is this country their property to talk like that?” he had questioned during a media briefing on Tuesday (2).

Marikkar had explained the impact on the people due to the increase of VAT from 15% to 18%. “People have a right to talk about their pressure, pressure of their children, a hopeless future, a country in ruins, crimes taking place. A government without a public mandate cannot deny that,” he had added.