A woman has been appointed as the 39th Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department, with the responsibility of increasing Sri Lanka’s tax revenue to 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The new Commissioner General is Rukdevi Fernando, also known as I.R.D. Fernando.
Fernando emphasized that her focus will be on expanding the tax base, increasing tax compliance, and recovering outstanding tax arrears.
Sri Lanka’s fragile economy could face further strain following the United States’ recent tariff hikes, warns Fitch Ratings. The global credit rating agency stated that countries with low external buffers and high debt burdens, like Sri Lanka, are particularly vulnerable to the ripple effects of the escalating US trade war. Currently rated CCC+, Sri Lanka…
The prices of liquid milk and yoghurt made from locally sourced fresh milk are expected to decrease following the Sri Lankan government’s recent decision to exempt these products from Value Added Tax (VAT). This tax relief follows the enactment of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act No. 04 of 2025, which received certification on 11…
The upcoming Local Government Elections, scheduled for May 6 are seeing a notable decline in public interest. Now, election monitoring efforts are also expected to be scaled back due to financial constraints faced by independent observer organisations. The recent decision by USAID to suspend funding for non-governmental projects has had a significant impact, leading to…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a major expansion of the Aswesuma welfare scheme, pledging to include an additional 400,000 individuals under the program. The move is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen the country’s social safety nets and extend support to low-income and vulnerable groups. The announcement follows a Cabinet decision on March…
Sri Lanka’s economy expanded by 5.0% in 2024, marking a strong recovery from the 2.3% contraction in 2023, according to the World Food Programme’s March 2025 Market Monitor. The growth was largely driven by the industrial sector, which surged to 11% growth, while services saw modest expansion. However, agriculture lagged, posting a 0.2% annual decline…
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe What is an energy hub? An energy hub is a strategically located site for storing, refining, and distributing energy resources such as petroleum, natural gas, and electricity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy hubs are “key nodes that enable flexible energy flows, ensuring balance and stability across interconnected systems.” Globally,…
