{"id":194642,"date":"2018-10-23T20:15:24","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T14:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=194642"},"modified":"2018-10-24T13:53:09","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T08:23:09","slug":"jvp-stages-first-mass-protest-rally-this-year-demands-government-to-reduce-tax-burden-bring-down-cost-of-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/jvp-stages-first-mass-protest-rally-this-year-demands-government-to-reduce-tax-burden-bring-down-cost-of-living\/","title":{"rendered":"JVP Stages First Mass Protest Rally This Year: Demands Government To Reduce Tax Burden, Bring Down Cost Of Living"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Janatha Vimukthu Peramuna (JVP<\/a>) today staged their first mass protest rally against the government this year, mainly focussing on the country’s economic issues.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The party demanded the government to reduce the tax burden on the people and bring down the soaring cost of living.<\/p>\n

The party also stressed the need for leading the economy out of the current debt-trap, through the right economic policies.<\/p>\n

The protest march started from Punchi Borella and proceeded through Maradana to Colombo Fort where the final rally was held.<\/p>\n

It was attended by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake<\/a>, General Secretary Tilvin Silva and other senior leaders and trade union activists of the party.<\/p>\n

Speaking to media during the protest march organized by the JVP, Parliamentarian Nalin Jayatissa said both the UNP-led government and the Joint Opposition, led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not have a plan to resurrect the country’s economy.<\/p>\n

“There is no ideological difference between the two parties. They promote the same, flawed principle. That is why bringing back the Rajapaksas to power is not a solution to the current economic crisis” the Parliamentarian explained.<\/p>\n

“The government has now forgotten the mandate and working against the interests of the people. They are protecting thieves and handling the economy according to the whims and fancies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” he added.<\/p>\n

“The public has no clear idea about the gravity of the debt burden left behind by the Rajapaksas. One of the weaknesses of the current government is its failure to give the correct understanding of this debt-trap to the people,” he added.<\/p>\n

Jayatissa said the Rajapaksa group’s urgency to return to power only indicated their greed for ministerial positions and government perks.<\/p>\n

The JVP. he said, had an alternative plan to resurrect the economy and reduce the burden on the people.<\/p>\n

“We have a formula and we will soon launch it as a comprehensive plan,” Jayatissa said when asked about the JVP’s solution to the current economic crisis.<\/p>\n