The passed VAT amendment Bill w.e.f 1st November not from 27th October

The amendment to the VAT bill was passed in parliament on the 26th instant.After it was read for the third time it was passed by a majority of 53 votes.There were 76 for it and 23 against it.

Accordingly the 11 % VAT component would be raised to 15%.When it was read for the second time there had been 112 for
the bill and 46 against the bill.The members of the joint opposition had worn black arm bands at the time the voting was in progress.

At the time of voting including the members of the Tamil National Alliance there were 65 absentees.The members of the joint opposition and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had voted against the bill.

The Minister of Finance had corrected some  media reports on the 27th instant saying the  15% VAT component would take effect only from the 1st November and not from the 26th midnight.