How tax revision that caused revenue loss of Rs 500-600 bn triggered collapse … – The Island

Nalaka Godahewa has alleged that those who managed the economy during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure as the president conveniently failed to take remedial measures though alleged faults were pointed out.Godahewa, a key member of the dissident group that voted against the emergency said the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa could have averted the disastrous consequences if corrective measures were taken.Godahewa cited the much disputed tax restructuring that had been introduced soon after Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s overwhelming victory at the 2019 presidential election.Controversial decision in this regard has been taken at the first cabinet meeting of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government held on Nov 27, 2019.

Though Easter attacks, the pandemic and the resultant body blow to the vital tourism sector and steep drop in migrant worker remittances aggravated the situation, the first time entrant to parliament primarily faulted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the current crisis.The former media minister was referring to UNP leader securing parliamentary approval to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s mandate.