Sri Lanka launches tax campaign to shift public attitudes

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka plans to launch a national campaign titled “Tax Power 2026” (Badu Shakthi 2026) in July to build a culture of voluntary tax compliance and shift public perceptions on taxation, Asitha Munasinghe Director of the Revenue Administration and Modernization Unit of the Presidential Secretariat said. The initiative, spearheaded by the Revenue Administration, Reform, and Modernization Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, will bring together the country’s three primary revenue-collecting bodies: the Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Excise Department. The main program is scheduled to run from July 06 to July 10, 2026, with an opening ceremony on the first day at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of the Speaker of Parliament. “The primary objective of this program is to transform the negative attitude among the public regarding taxation into a positive one,” Munasinghe said. “Through this, we aim to establish a culture of voluntary tax compliance within the country.” He said. The five-day campaign will feature targeted public outreach across the island. Following the opening ceremonies on July 06, the Inland Revenue Department will deploy regional teams on July 07 to conduct awareness programs for taxpayers and residents in selected cities hosting regional offices. On July 08, the Inland Revenue Department will host a central seminar focusing on major structural modifications to the tax system, tailored for tax professionals, existing taxpayers, and interested individuals. Additional regional seminars will follow in major urban centers including Anuradhapura, Galle, and Matara. The campaign will dedicate its fifth day to a specialized “Youth Day” aimed at raising fiscal awareness among the younger demographic. The final phase, spanning July 11 and 12, will focus on mass media and social media network campaigns to broaden public understanding of compliance and regulations. “We expect to implement a program to raise awareness among tax payers and the general public in selected cities,” Nandana Kumara Athukorala, Commissioner and Media Spokesperson of the Inland Revenue Department, said. “Here, it is expected to educate the public regarding the major changes in taxes.” (Colombo/June 30/2026)