Highest revenue in 93-year history of Inland Revenue collected in 2025

A 15 per cent increase compared with the revenue collected in the previous year 

By Huzefa Aliasger 

The Inland Revenue department has succeeded in collecting Rs. 2,203 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest amount recorded in its 93-year history. This represents a surplus of Rs. 33 billion over the revenue target for the year and a 15 per cent increase compared with the revenue collected in the previous year, stated Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms Rukdevi Fernando. 

According to an official press release by the Inland Revenue Department, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended a meeting with the staff yesterday morning to review the progress achieved in 2025 and the new plans for 2026. The President expressed his appreciation to all officers and staff of the Inland Revenue Department for surpassing the revenue expected by the Government.

The President also pointed out that tax collection is neither repression nor coercion but a legitimate right of the State, adding that necessary changes will be made to laws, regulations, designations and staffing in order to secure this contribution.

Ms Rukdevi Fernando said that a revenue target of Rs. 2,401 billion has been set for 2026 and that the Department expects to achieve this through programmes aimed at enhancing tax compliance and broadening the tax base.

In addition, she said that the Department plans to expand third-party data sharing, strengthen investigations into domestic and overseas assets, take over the RAMIS system, reinforce risk-based auditing, introduce e-invoicing, adopt modern technology for tax administration and enhance tax ethics in 2026.