Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms. Rukdevi Fernando stated that this figure represents a surplus of Rs. 33 billion over the annual revenue target and a 15 per cent increase compared to the revenue collected in 2024. She made these remarks at a discussion held this morning (30) at the Department’s auditorium under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This occasion also marked the first time in the Inland Revenue Department’s history that a President visited the institution. President Dissanayake met with officers and staff to review the progress achieved in 2025 and to discuss new plans for 2026.
The President commended the officers and staff of the Department for exceeding the Government’s revenue expectations and called on all employees to work collectively towards achieving the country’s required economic transformation.
Emphasising that tax evasion will not be tolerated, the President stated that the era in which taxes were avoided based on personal, familial or political affiliations has come to an end. He stressed that the law will be enforced equally and without hesitation against anyone attempting to evade taxes, regardless of status.
He further noted that tax collection is a legitimate right of the State and not a form of repression or coercion, adding that necessary amendments will be introduced to laws, regulations, institutional structures and staffing to strengthen revenue collection.
President Dissanayake also highlighted that the Government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of economic progress reach the people. He said priority is being given to improving essential public services, transforming the transport sector and allocating sufficient funds for the development of education and health services.
The President also underscored the importance of implementing a targeted programme to enhance tax collection by improving tax literacy, simplifying the tax system and addressing staff shortages.
Ms. Fernando noted that the Department’s success was largely due to the professional competence and dedication of its officers. She also revealed that a revenue target of Rs. 2,401 billion has been set for 2026, which the Department aims to achieve by strengthening tax compliance and expanding the tax base.
She added that planned initiatives for 2026 include expanding third-party data sharing, strengthening investigations into domestic and overseas assets, taking over the RAMIS system, reinforcing risk-based audits, introducing e-invoicing, adopting modern technologies for tax administration and enhancing tax ethics.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Ms. Rukdevi Fernando, along with senior officials and staff of the Inland Revenue Department, were present at the event.
