The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has recorded the highest revenue collection in its 93-year history, collecting Rs. 2,203 billion in 2025, Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms. Rukdevi Fernando announced.
The figure exceeds the annual revenue target by Rs. 33 billion and represents a 15 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Ms. Fernando made these remarks at a discussion held yesterday (30) at the IRD auditorium under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This marked the first time in the Department’s 93-year history that a sitting President visited the Inland Revenue Department. The President met with officials to review progress achieved in 2025 and to outline plans for 2026.
President Dissanayake commended the officers and staff of the IRD for surpassing the Government’s revenue expectations and urged them to continue working collectively to support the country’s economic transformation. He stressed that tax evasion will no longer be tolerated, stating that the era of exemptions based on personal, familial, or political affiliations has ended and that the law will be enforced equally, regardless of status.
The President emphasized that tax collection is a legitimate right of the State, not an act of repression, and noted that legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms—including staffing and structural changes—will be implemented to strengthen revenue collection.
He further stated that the Government’s goal is to ensure that the benefits of improved revenue performance reach the public through enhanced essential services, transport sector reforms, and increased investment in education and healthcare. He also highlighted the importance of improving tax literacy, simplifying the tax system, and addressing staff shortages to strengthen tax collection.
Ms. Fernando attributed the record achievement to the professionalism and commitment of IRD officers. She revealed that a revenue target of Rs. 2,401 billion has been set for 2026, to be achieved through improved tax compliance and expansion of the tax base.
She added that planned initiatives for 2026 include expanding third-party data sharing, strengthening investigations into domestic and overseas assets, taking over the RAMIS system, enhancing risk-based audits, introducing e-invoicing, adopting modern technologies for tax administration, and promoting stronger tax ethics.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, senior officials, and IRD staff were also present at the event.