Former External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris today said that the SLFP MPs supporting the government should take the responsibility over the VAT legislation, to ensure the alleviation of the pressure on the ordinary people.

Speaking at a press conference today, he said that the Prime Minister is now attempting to introduce the new tax policies through the Parliament, following the Supreme Court ruling yesterday.

If the government is allowed to push through the same measures through the Parliament, the SLFP MPs should take responsibility for the failure to reduce the drastic measures, Peiris said.

Meanwhile, speaking at another press conference, National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa pointed out that the President had acknowledged that the increase of VAT had affected the ordinary people negatively. If the President himself has acknowledged the need for changes, the SLFP MPs who support him must force the government to make sure the changes are introduced, Weerawansa said.

The Supreme Court yesterday gave an interim order against the VAT and NBT changes introduced on May 2, pending Parliamentary legislation. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe responded within hours, saying that legislation process will be finished by the end of the month and that the Supreme Court decision will not have any effect on the government's revenue collection.