No one will protest the closure of tobacco companies: Health Minister

If tobacco companies are incurring losses as a result of the increase in the price of cigarettes and the imposition of 90 percent tax, they can close down operations in Sri Lanka, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Minister Dr. Senaratne said no one would protest the closure of tobacco companies.

He was addressing the gathering after the opening of the Gampaha Osu Sala.

Minister Dr. Senaratne pointed out that many - including those in the good governance government had protested when the tax on tobacco was increased by 90 percent, but he said that all decisions had been made on behalf of the innocent poor people.

“This Government is dedicated to eradicating the drug mafia,” he said.

“The parliament is making laws and the judiciary is implementing them. But the judiciary cannot make laws. Now the people have the opportunity to criticize the President.

This is the ‘good governance government’, which abolished the Presidential system and is bringing in a a new constitution, he said.