Wimal Weerawansa today filed a Fundamental Rights petition against the increase of the VAT and NBT by the government, arguing that it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the articles 12 (1), 13 (1) and 14 (g) of the constitution.

The petitioner argued that the VAT and the NBT could not be increased without amending the relevant laws and presenting them to the Parliament for approval.

Therefore, the imposition of new taxes has violated the fundamental rights of the petitioner and the public at large, the petition argued.

The petitioner seeks an interim order preventing the respondents from directing the public to pay the taxes and from collecting them.

The Finance Minister, The Secretary to the Finance Ministry, the Inland Revenue Commissioner General and the AG have been named respondents.