Sri Lanka, Nov. 10 -- Issuing a statement the SJB MP said "While I acknowledge the Government has maintained the macro-economic stabilisation achieved by the previous administration, I must challenge its complete lack of any plan for economic growth. This budget is not a "system change"; it is "the same old thing" wrapped in a new flag".

He went on to say "I revealed that the Treasury is "overflowing" with an unexpected cash surplus of around 1 trillion rupees. This windfall came from massive vehicle import taxes (over US$ 1.4 billion worth imported), which the Government did not anticipate. Instead of using this 1 trillion rupee surplus to provide relief, the Government is increasing the tax burden.

They have widened the VAT net by low...