Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera has announced plans to simplify Sri Lanka’s tax system from next year, with the aim of making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Speaking at the official launch of the digital signature and paperless customs declaration system, Jayaweera said steps are being taken to streamline the tax structure by removing additional levies imposed alongside customs duties.
He said similar simplified tax mechanisms would be introduced across other government institutions, while efforts are also underway to accelerate the integration of information technology systems within these institutions.
Jayaweera described the newly launched paperless customs declaration system as an important milestone in the government’s broader digitalisation programme.
He said the government’s ultimate objective is to fully digitise state institutions within a specified timeframe. He also 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 platform.
He said Sri Lanka is working towards establishing a similar system and described the current initiative as an important step in that direction.
Meanwhile, Jayaweera said Sri Lanka Customs had come close to achieving its revenue target for 2026.
He said 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 very close to achieving it.
Jayaweera added that establishing an efficient and streamlined revenue collection mechanism would be a positive development for the country.
