07/10/2026
The Government is working on plans to simplify Sri Lanka’s tax system and make it more efficient and user-friendly from next year.
As part of the proposed reforms, measures will be introduced to streamline the existing tax structure by removing additional levies imposed alongside customs duties. The Deputy Minister also said similar simplified tax mechanisms are expected to be implemented across other government institutions.
He made the remarks while participating in the official launch of the digital signature and paperless customs declaration system.
“Plans are in place to make our tax system much simpler and more efficient from next year. We are taking the necessary steps to systematically streamline the tax structure by removing additional taxes imposed alongside customs duties. Similar simplified systems will be introduced across other institutions. We are also accelerating the integration of information technology systems within these entities. We consider the paperless customs declaration system launched today to be a significant milestone in this journey,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Jayaweera said Sri Lanka Customs was nearing its revenue target for 2026.
He stated that the Government’s broader objective is to fully digitise state institutions within a specified timeframe, in line with the vision of the President and the new administration.
Pointing to international examples, he noted that many countries operate National Single Window systems, allowing citizens, businesses, and members of the trading community to access government services and complete transactions through a single digital platform.
Sri Lanka is currently working towards establishing a similar system, which the Deputy Minister described as an important step in the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
He further revealed that Sri Lanka Customs had been assigned a revenue target of Rs. 2,207 billion for 2026 and had, at the time of his remarks, come close to achieving the target.
According to the Deputy Minister, the development of a more efficient and streamlined revenue collection mechanism represents a positive step towards improving the country’s public-sector systems and revenue administration.
Source : Srilanka.