SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says the Government must assure the Sri Lankan people that revenue earned through taxation will not be subjected to wastage and corruption. Addressing a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Markar said: “The Government has a responsibility to assure people that the tax revenue will not be wasted or be at risk of corruption. It has a responsibility to be transparent in these matters.”
The Government must be accountable for how public monies are spent, he said. The public trust in the Government has completely deteriorated. “How can we talk of rising out of this crisis when the people’s tax monies are being wasted in this manner,” Markar asked.
He said that accusations are being levelled against the Government for not using its tax revenue for the benefit of the people. “The newspaper also points out that the value of the rupee has dropped by 100 per cent and that inflation has risen to 68 per cent. At a time such as this, the people are being forced to bear a heavy tax burden. Therefore, the Government has a responsibility to assure the people these tax monies will not be wasted,” he said.
Commenting on the allegations of economic crimes leveled against Sri Lanka at the 51st session of the UNHRC, Markar said the Government is maintaining a stoic silence on taking legal action against those responsible.