VAT Amendment bill passed in parliament--15% effective from midnight

VAT Amendment bill passed in parliament--15% effective from midnight

The Value Added Tax amendment bill which was claimed as justifiable by the supreme courts was presented to the parliament today.

The amendment VAT bill has been passed in parliament my a huge majority. For the bill 76 members had voted while against only 23

votes had been cast.

Accordingly the VAT component which was hitherto 11% would be increased to 15% with effect from midnight today the 26th Tuesday.After the bill was read fro the second time there had been 112 votes for it and 46 votes against it.

At the time the voting was in progress the members of the joint opposition had worn black arm bands to show dissent.It is reported that including the Members of Parliament of the Tamil National Alliance there had been 69 who were absent at the time of the voting.The Members of Parliament of the joint opposition and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had voted against the amendment VAT bill.