CMC fails to collect outstanding rates worth Rs 440 million in 2025

By Yohan Perera   

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) which has been unable to collect a total of Rs. 440 million as rates by end 2025 has decided to extend the contract period of three rate collectors who were hired in 2025, it was revealed yesterday.   
As per the resolution presented to the CMC and approved by the Standing Committee on Finance of the Municipal Council, there are nearly 30,000 properties within the city with outstanding rates which is less than Rs. 100,000 each. The total outstanding rates as at September 30, 2025 has been Rs. 440,000.   
CMC has allocated a total sum of Rs. 20 million for the expenditure concerned with rate collection in 2025 out of which a sum of Rs. 7, 712, 701, 36 has been spent during the year 2025. The service period of rate collectors is to be extended this year as well. The objective behind this move is to ensure the process of rate collection is made efficient and to minimize the outstanding rates in the New Year.