Acknowledging that the recent increase of the VAT has adversely affected the ordinary people, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that changes to the VAT will be introduced on next Monday.

However he did not specifically indicate which sectors will be affected with the new changes.

The government is facing a serous backlash from traders across the country over the increase of the VAT. Shops were closed across a number of towns in protest yesterday.

The government increased the VAT to 15 percent from May 2 this year.