Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday gave his consent to amend sixteen budget proposals put forward by SLFP MPs.

This agreement was reached at a meeting between the PM and the SLFP MPs at the Parliamentary Complex.

Accordingly, Wickremesinghe agreed to remove the 2 % tax on cash withdrawals between Rs. 1 million and Rs. 10 million and 3 % on cash withdrawals of more than Rs. 10 million. The Prime Minister also agreed not to merge the EPF and ETF funds.

The PM also agreed to extend the fertilizer subsidy for tea, rubber and coconut. Restrictions introduced on leasing by state banks were also withdrawn.