The new government of Sri Lanka today presented the Interim Budget 2015 in Parliament offering concessions to all sections of the society.
Ravi Karunanayaka, in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister presenting the budget said the government believes in uplifting and developing the lives of every citizen of this country - not just a selected few.
The Interim Budget proposes increasing salaries of state sector employees by Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000 out of that will be given in February and remaining Rs. 5,000 in June raising state sector employees' salaries by 47%. About 1.3 million public employees will benefit from the concession.
The Finance Minister said that although pledged to reduce the prices of ten essential items at the presidential election, the prices of 13 essential food items have been reduced. It is a fulfilling of the pledge of reducing the cost of living of the public.
Taxes have been imposed on liquor outlets and bars, distilleries, mobile telephone service providers, TV channels telecasting sports and casinos.
Highlights of the 2015 Interim Budget:
The fertilizer subsidy will continue.
Price of one liter of kerosene has been reduced by Rs. 6 and accordingly, new price of one liter of kerosene is Rs. 59.
Price of one kilo of sugar has been reduced by Rs. 10. A packet of 400 gram milk powder has been reduced to Rs. 325.
Tax on wheat flour has been reduced by 10%. Accordingly price of one kilo of wheat flour will be reduced by Rs. 12.50 and the price of a loaf of bread by Rs. 6.
Senior citizens with Rs. 1 million in their bank accounts will be given 15% interest rate.
Interim Budget 2015
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