President was unaware initially about the increase in the VAT

President was unaware initially about the increase in the VAT ,he does not know about all decisions taken - Rajitha

The other day the decision of the authorities of

the finance ministry to increase the VAT component up to 15% from the 02nd of May. This decision was approved by the Prime Minister not two main reasons.One was that the coffers of the government needed to be filled and also the increase was not going to affect the lives and the budgets of the ordinary citizens.

When the increase was announced naturally the masses made a huge protest as this would affect their day to day expenses.When the President Maithripala Sirisena intervened he had made the general publis aware that this increase would not affect the general public .He had spoken to them via the media that he will not leave any room to the increase the VAT in the event it would become a burden to the masses.

In this regard the cabinet spokesman of the government the Minister of health Rajitha Senaratne had told the media that all decisions taken by the Prime Minister and the Ministers are conveyed to the President later.Also that some decisions taken by the Prime Minister and the rest are not known to the President.