IRD records Rs. 606 bn revenue in first quarter of 2026

Colombo, April 10 (Daily Mirror) - The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has collected tax revenue amounting to Rs. 606,002 million during the first quarter of 2026, continuing its strong performance following a record-breaking year in 2025.

According to the IRD, the revenue collected from January 1 to March 31, 2026, marks a 17.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Contributions from all major tax categories, including Income Tax (IT), Value Added Tax (VAT), and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL), have shown notable growth.

The Department attributed the increase in revenue to ongoing economic expansion, effective tax policies, improved tax administration, and the commitment of its officials. It also noted a significant rise in voluntary tax compliance, indicating growing public confidence in the tax system.

The IRD further expressed appreciation to taxpayers and both public and private sector institutions for their cooperation, which enabled the Department to achieve nearly 25% of its annual revenue target for 2026 within the first three months.

Commissioner General Rukdevi P. H. Fernando commended all stakeholders for their contribution towards this achievement.