COLOMBO (News 1st) –  The National Economic Council has considered a decision to exempt Doctor advisory charges, Channeling fees and Hospital charges from the Value Added Tax. During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the National Economic Council had agreed to make a final decision in the future.

President Maithripala Sirisena had advised the NEC during the meeting to protect the local industrialists and develop the national economy of the country. Thereby, the Council discussed six basic issues faced by the local industrialists in Sri Lanka.

The President has said that the state banks have a responsibility to provide credit facilities to the local industrialists at concessionary interest rates in order to cater to the development of the country – instead of only trying to maximise profits.

Short term, middle term, and long-term projects, as well as decisions that should be taken to bring in the immediate changes needed for economic management, were also discussed during this meeting.