State Minister for Finance Mr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that taxes on cigarettes and alcohol have been increased in a way that cannot be borne by the spending power of the common people.
The Minister points out that compared to other goods and services, the tax on alcohol and cigarettes is the highest.
That is why the revenue from alcohol and cigarettes has decreased by 30% to 40%, the minister says.
The Siyambalapitiya minister also points out that due to the increase in taxes, people’s energy to buy alcohol and cigarettes has decreased.
Accordingly, the minister said that a problem has arisen as to whether the people have resorted to illegal alcohol.
The minister stated this while answering a question raised by the leader of the opposition in Parliament recently.
