COLOMBO (NewsRadio); Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena says the government has received only Rs.158.7 billion in taxes during the month of January thus far.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Department of Government Information this morning, Minister Gunawardena said, the state expenditure including funds used to pay salaries of state employees and pension and Samurdhi payments as of 27th of January, was Rs. 367.8 billion.
The Minister said the government spent Rs.87.4 billion to pay salaries of state employees while Rs.29.5 for pension, Samurdhi and welfare payments.
He noted that the monthly expenditure which includes allocations for debt servicing is more than double the amount the government generates as income.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena said therefore the government has to seek funds through treasury bonds, treasury bills, through provisional advances from the Central Bank and overdraft facilities from banks.
The Minister added that the President has instructed and proposed several measures to reduce expenditure of the government.
He said however the government cannot avoid paying salaries and grant welfare payments.
Minister Gunawardena added that due to the increase in taxes, the government is expecting a bigger tax income in the months of March and April.
He said there is no political solution to the issue and therefore requested all factions to work together to overcome the economic crisis.
