Although prices could be changed by any institution, it was only Parliament that had power to revise taxes, Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs and Cooperative Development, Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday at the Cabinet news briefing.

The government spent 260 billion on the salaries of state employees and another 87 billion rupees on pensions.

Minister Gunawardena said the highest taxes had been imposed on petroleum products, alcoholic brews, and
tobacco products.

He said the Government always respected the Supreme Court rulings as was evident in the manner it had acted in the recent past.

Gas prices had come down in the world market and local prices would be decreased towards the end of December and the benefits would accrue consumers. They would be able to cook kiribath with cheap gas, a smiling Minister Gunawardena said.

He said that the Government had also brought down the cement prices.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Director Information Anusha Pelpita were present.