National Tax Week launched to promote voluntary tax compliance

The Government on Monday (06) launched “Badhu Shakthi 2026” National Tax Week, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting voluntary tax compliance and strengthening state revenue generation. The programme, organised by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, will run from July 6 to 10 as part of a year-long campaign to improve public attitudes towards taxation through awareness programmes and public engagement activities. Speaking at the launch held at the Presidential Secretariat, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne said the initiative was “not merely a tax collection campaign” but a national movement to cultivate responsible citizens. He said the Government is now implementing major national development projects using domestic resources rather than foreign loans, citing the commencement of the Kandy Expressway and the planned Kurunegala-Galewela Road project as examples. The Speaker also stressed that strengthening the country’s tax base, improving tax compliance and reducing tax evasion were essential to financing public services and national development. Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the Government had simplified the tax payment process while introducing stronger fiscal discipline to ensure public funds are managed responsibly. He said the Government would not tolerate fraud, corruption or waste, adding that rebuilding the country requires every citizen to contribute with a sense of national responsibility. (Newswire)