The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Western Provincial Council group members yesterday staged a protest campaign at Battaramulla against the Western Provincial Council’s move to increase the charge of vehicle registration.

JVP Provincial Councilor Waruna Rajapakse told The Island on Tuesday there was a move by the Provincial Council Chief Minister to increase tax on vehicles. He said that though the proposal was passed, the JVP opposed it and later it was taken up to the executive committee level and passed.

"Both the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party who have a majority in the Council were in favour of the hike. We protested against it as it was going to be a nearly 300 per cent hike.

At today’s meeting, when the matter was taken up, we held a protest. In response they too shouted at us but later some UNPers joined us and protested," he said.

Highlighting some of the vehicle hikes, he said that a three wheel registration will increase to rupees 500 from the present rupees 275, a small petrol car will be increased from rupees 350 to 1,200, a diesel vehicle from rupees 700 to 2,400 and registration of dual purpose vehicles would increase to rupees 4,200.