The Supreme Court allowed leave to proceed for five petitions against the increase of VAT and NBT by the government.

Furthermore, the decision on the interim order suspending the taxes was reserved for July 11.

The respondents were asked to file their objections before June 30.

Five petitioners including National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa have filed petitions against the increase of taxes arguing that it violated their Fundamental Rights.

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 petitions argued.