In order to avoid the increase in cigarette taxes, there have been many allegations that an unimaginable amount of money has been distributed among selected high-ranking politicians and officials of various governments in the past.
It is said in the allegations that these people even came in helicopters during the previous elections and gave money to these politicians and officials.
Also, information is now being revealed that the issue related to the cigarette tax and the issue related to the rules were the root of many of the recent political explosions in Sri Lanka.
We have received information about several people who have transacted this money and within the next few days we will receive a large amount of information along with evidence.
We are also ready to reveal all those people to the country as soon as we receive that information.
Recently, Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, also revealed in the parliament that the country is losing a lot of money due to the non-taxation of cigarettes properly, and some powerful people are in the pockets of these companies.
Also, Mr. Iran Wickramaratne, Member of Parliament, had mentioned the other day that the country has lost an amount of 880 billion rupees since 2000 due to non-imposition of taxes.
Apart from this, economic experts point out that if these taxes were collected properly, the Moragahakanda Reservoir and highways could have been completed without borrowing.
