Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government hopes to reduce the pressure on the current tax payers and focus on reducing tax rates.
He made this statement while issuing a special congratulatory message on the 94th anniversary of the Department of Inland Revenue.
The Secretary pointed out that the ‘Department of Inland Revenue’, the main revenue collection agency of the Government, is currently undergoing a major structural and conceptual change. In particular, he noted that the digitisation process is being accelerated under the full guidance of the Ministry of Finance to encourage voluntary tax compliance.
The Department of Inland Revenue has achieved a remarkable achievement by recording the highest tax revenue in history last year, and strategic plans are already underway to achieve the revenue targets for the year 2026.
The Secretary emphasised that despite technological advancements, the success of the entire process depends on the commitment and efficiency of the officers. Accordingly, he added that the Ministry of Finance will prioritise providing them with a conducive working environment and proper training to minimize the pressure faced by officers during the busy tax payment periods.
The Secretary, who called for commitment to make the theme ‘Taxes – for a Better Future’ a reality, expressed his gratitude to the entire staff, including the Commissioner General, who contributed to securing the country’s public finance system for 94 years.
Source : Daily News
