Budget meant to woo Sinhala electorate

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Tamil MPs said this evening that the PA's budget presented in the Sri Lankan Parliament today by Deputy minister for finance Prof. G.L Pieris appeared to have been prepared with the next general election or at the non-binding referendum in mind.

The Minister announced several tax cuts which could directly benefit farmers in the Sinhala country side.

Almost two thirds of the island's population is in the agricultural sector.

Many other measures contained in the PA budget, according to several Tamils who were in Parliament today, gave the strong impression that the PA government wants to woo the Sinhala people who are currently disgruntled over the skyrocketing cost of living to its side in time for the non-binding referendum or a general election.

The PA said recently that it will hold a non-binding referendum in Sri Lanka to secure public sanction for it devolution proposals.

Related Articles:
30.10.97   Sri Lanka plans 'non binding' referendum