New rules to combat fraud, corruption, says the General Fonseka

(January 13,Colombo,Sri Lanka Guardian) General Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that under his regime, new regulations to combat fraud and corruption in conformity with the UN convention against corruption would be introduced immediately. Addressing the business community in Colombo, he pointed out that by assisting in elimination of higher taxes and payments that increase the cost of doing business, the private sector's cost could be reduced, so that private sector salaries could be increased.

He also said that private sector employees' take-home salaries could be increased by adjusting the income tax threshold.

The General stressed that the private sector should be treated as the force that contributed to development and therefore facilities in terms of better infrastructure and simple tax system should be provided by the government.

He also spoke about how he would intervene to restore GSP Plus concessions that had been suspended by the European Commission.

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and JVP leader Somawansa Amarasingha also attended the business community meeting held with the General along with leaders and representatives of other parties supporting the candidature of General Fonseka.

The business community had an opportunity to ask questions from the political leaders who were at the head table.