At today’s (13) cabinet news briefing, he said the finance ministry was to officially receive the SC decision today.

Once it is received, it will be studied and necessary steps taken, he said.

He recalled that there had been instances in the past when parliamentary approval was obtained for same after the taxes were increased.

The president and the prime minister will hold a discussion on 17 or 18 of July, where a final decision will be taken and announced on the following day, he said.

Abeywardena went onto say that the charging of the VAT on commodities for which the tax should not be levied will be legally dealt with by the Consumer Affairs Authority.