Economy

Govt to impose 18% VAT on cross-border digital services provided via electronic platforms

Published

1 year ago

July 8, 2025

The government will introduce an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services provided by non-resident companies to local consumers, effective October 1, 2025.

Accordingly, foreign service providers are required to register for VAT in Sri Lanka and collect the tax on their services.

The VAT law was updated through the VAT (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 2025, which implemented VAT on digital services.

The Inland Revenue Department has also published detailed guidelines through the Gazette Notification 2443/30, on this new digital tax.

Accordingly, the new VAT rules define terms such as “electronic platform” and “non-resident person,” and impose obligations on foreign digital service providers to charge and remit VAT on various services, including streaming, online gaming, and software as a service (SaaS).

Electronic marketplace facilitators may also be liable for VAT reporting on third-party sales.

According to the guidelines, the non-resident must first obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) before proceeding to acquire VAT registration. VAT registration is required only if the value of supply in the last 12 months exceeds Rs. 60 million per annum or Rs. 15 million in the last three months.

Non-compliance with registration requirements could also lead to penalties from the Inland Revenue Department, according to the new regulations.

With the enforcement of new regulations following services are likely to become liable to VAT collections:

E-commerce Services
Cloud Computing
Software as a service (SaaS)
Cybersecurity Services
Digital Marketing & Advertising
IT support & Managed Services
Streaming Services
Fin Tech
Subscription & Membership Website
E-commerce Platforms
Social Media Platforms
On Demand Service Platforms
Content Sharing Platforms
Cloud Collaboration Platforms
Market Place Platforms
Gaming Platforms
Blockchain & NFT Platforms
Apps for hotel bookings and ticket reservations

Economy

Vehicle imports generate Rs. 512.5 billion in tax revenue

Published

1 day ago

September 8, 2026

admin

Sri Lanka imported 316,000 vehicles during the first six months of 2026, generating Rs. 512.547 billion in tax revenue, according to officials from Sri Lanka Customs.

The figures were revealed during a review of the operations and revenue performance of Sri Lanka Customs by the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means.

Of the total tax revenue generated through vehicle imports, motor vehicles imports accounted for the largest share, contributing Rs. 386.726 billion.

Petrol-powered cars with engine capacities below 1,000cc emerged as the highest revenue-generating category, contributing Rs. 137.4 billion in Customs revenue. This represented 9.96% of total Customs revenue.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs recorded total revenue of Rs. 1.379 trillion by June 30, 2026, against an expected revenue of Rs. 1.061 trillion for the period, representing 130% of the targeted revenue.

Officials informed the committee that customs revenue had exceeded monthly targets throughout the year and had recorded higher revenue compared with the corresponding months of 2025.

Economy

Rs. 5.8bn World Bank-backed project to rehabilitate 296 irrigation tanks

Published

3 days ago

September 6, 2026

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Sri Lanka has begun rehabilitating 296 minor irrigation tanks under a World Bank-funded programme aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving climate resilience.

More than Rs. 5.8 billion has been allocated for the work under the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), which is planned to continue until 2029.

Of the 296 tanks, 290 are located across 18 districts and were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. About Rs. 5.58 billion has been allocated for their rehabilitation under the project’s Contingent Emergency Response Component.

The largest number of affected tanks is in Badulla, where 97 are being rehabilitated, followed by Ratnapura with 29, Mannar with 24 and Kurunegala with 19. Fifteen tanks each are being rehabilitated in Kandy and Vavuniya.

A further six minor irrigation tanks in Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Jaffna are also being rehabilitated at a cost of about Rs. 256.2 million.

Economy

Sri Lanka exports to India grow 7.2% to USD 669mn in first seven months

Published

5 days ago

September 4, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports to India increased by 7.22% year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026, reaching US$669.36 million, according to data from the Export Development Board (EDB).

Exports to India during the January-July period rose from US$624.31 million recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.

In July alone, exports to India increased by 9.12% year-on-year to US$129.51 million, compared with US$118.69 million in July 2025.

The EDB said the cumulative growth in exports to India was mainly supported by increased shipments of boilers, piston engines, pumps and vacuum pumps, petroleum oils, animal feed and base metal products.

The growth also came amid a broader expansion in Sri Lanka’s exports to the South Asian region.

Exports to South Asian markets increased by 11.98% year-on-year to US$916.55 million during the January-July 2026 period.