Owing to VAT component dissent Hambantota uninhabited

Jul 07, 2016

The government decision to increase the VAT component to 15% was criticised in many quarters. It is reported that all businessmen in the towns in Hambantota district and around have decided to protest by closing all their business establishments in extending their protest against the government’s decision on the 07th instant.

Accordingly the shops in the Hambantota, Suriyawewa,Tissamaharamaya, Ranna, Hungama,Beliatta,Nikeveratiya,Middeniya, Agunugonapelessa will be closed as decided by the businessmen.

The significant factor has been that in the electorate of Tangalle also in which seat is of the elected Member of Parliament and State minister of fisheries and aquatic resources, the businessmen have also resorted to this protest action by keeping their business also closed. The members of the Tangalle commercial association has organised the protest.

The fair that is usually held on Thursdays at the Ambalantota too will not be held as their counterpart businessmen in Hambantota have decided to protest by closing their businesses. This had caused a terrible inconvenience and loss to those small scale businessmen who come to Ambalatota for small scale business to the Mahajana pola. This is as they had been given prior notice.

Against the increase in the VAT component a number of trade organisations have jointly. They have all have got together near the clock tower at Ambalantota and protested for about an hour carrying placards and slogans expressing their protest to the government. They had together taken part in a protest procession around the town

However it is reported that a few shops in the Ambalantota town which are supposed to be owned by the UNP member of provincial council TVK Gamini. This member had quipped that the people should not suffer and be inconvenienced as the JVP members are behind this protest.