September 11, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of an IT Strategic Plan for the Inland Revenue Department, as announced by Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana. The decision was disclosed at a press conference held at the Government Information Department yesterday (10).
Minister Gunawardhana explained that the Inland Revenue Department was required to develop an IT Strategic Plan as a structural measure under the Extensive Credit Facility Programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This plan, which aims to digitize the department, needed to be prepared and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers by the end of August 2024.
The proposal, presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policy, outlined the implementation of the IT Strategic Plan for the Inland Revenue Department for the period from 2025 to 2027. The plan received Cabinet approval.
Minister Gunawardhana further explained, “The IMF’s extensive credit facility program has set future goals that include maintaining the government’s revenue at a level of 15 percent or more of the gross domestic product. To achieve this, the Inland Revenue Department, along with Customs and Excise Departments, will integrate revenue-generating institutions. Through digitization, it will be easier to reach higher revenue targets by closing gaps in income generation channels. The digitization proposal was approved to meet these IMF conditions.
