Budget 2016 benefits middle income families - Deputy Minister Wickramaratne

Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise Development, Eran Wickramaratne told Parliament that despite the government's decision to withdraw vehicle permits, the incumbent government would ensure that the people could afford to purchase a vehicle.

He said that the 2016 Budget offers a fringe of benefits to middle-income families.

Deputy Minister Wickramaratne told Parliament during the Budget debate that the tax exemption ceiling which stood at 5% has been increased to 2.4 million rupees under the 2016 Budget. He also stressed that one of the objectives of the government was to create a stable economy which would benefit every citizen.

Explaining the government's strategy to improve the public sector, the Deputy Minister assured that the current regime would not revert to an approach where public sector employees would be tied to trees. He said that the public sector would be transformed into a dignified segment of the workforce.

Deputy Minister Wickramaratne said that the unitary government had taken all measures to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, contrary to certain views which are being propagated by certain extremist elements.

He said the fertilizer subsidy would be increased to 37.5%, to sustain and support the farming community.

If the country was to be propelled forward, the income level of the nation's youth should be improved correspondingly with competitive and lucrative employment opportunities. He assured that the government had a strategy to make this goal a reality.

He asserted that one of the prime objectives of the government was to create an environment conducive for entrepreneurs. Steps were afoot to set up a fund towards this end.

The Deputy Minister said plans were under way to present three million free-holding deeds to the public, of which 300 would be offered to the constituents of Moratuwa.