Nov 04 Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) says that the alternate budget presented by their party addresses the burning issues suffered by the people in the face of nepotism, 'family bandysm' and mismanagement of the economy.

Ravi Karunanayake, Colombo district MP and the one of the active member of the party said that the benefits of economic development should be shared by all sectors of the population in the country.

Presenting the alternate budget proposal to the media and the parliament this morning Karunanayake stressed benefits of economic development should not confined to a selected persons in the country.

In their alternate budget UNP have proposed to increase salaries of all public servants by 20% with the minimum increase of Rs. 7,500.

Also proposed was the reduction of fuel prices. Based on the world market price of US$ 70 per barrel, diesel will be sold at Rs. 75 per litre, petrol at Rs. 85 per litre, and kerosene at Rs. 59 per litre. UNp proposes to reduce the number of ministers to 35 and invest the savings in national security expenses to raise the salary for security forces and Police. Minimum wage of the Armed forces will be increased to Rs. 40,000 and Police to Rs. 32,000.

All pensions will be increased by Rs. 3,500 while an increase in Samurdhi Funds has been proposed to give a sum of Rs. 5,000 per month to each Samurdhi family to increase their annual income to Rs. 60,000.

The budget proposals also call for reduced taxes. Instead of the 20% VAT which causes increase in the cost of living, a new consumption tax between 10 – 11 % will be introduced.

Another objective suggested is to regain the GSP + facility and lost dignity of the country while entering into contracts to protect the garment and textile industry.

Suggesting improvements in the transportation sector proposals plan to provide an efficient transport system and night bus services, removal of all taxes from utility vehicles such as buses, vans, tractors, trishaws and motorcycles.