June 01, Colombo (LNW): A nationwide initiative aimed at improving public understanding of taxation and encouraging broader compliance with revenue regulations is set to commence across Sri Lanka on June 02.
Branded as ‘National Tax Week’, the campaign is part of a government-led effort to deepen civic engagement in the country’s tax framework and enhance fiscal responsibility.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to officially inaugurate the initiative at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat, marking the start of a week-long programme spearheaded by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Deputy Commissioner General of the IRD, P.K.S. Shantha, confirmed that the campaign will run until June 07 and will involve extensive outreach to inform the public about the advantages of timely tax payments and the procedures for acquiring a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
The initiative is expected to involve mobile units, workshops, and collaboration with local authorities to reach individuals in both urban and rural areas.
The campaign follows recent regulatory changes which have made the TIN increasingly central to everyday transactions. Under new directives, a valid TIN is now mandatory for registering a motor vehicle under a personal name, and is also required to open certain categories of bank accounts.
These measures are intended to formalise economic activity and broaden the national tax base, especially in a context where many individuals and businesses have traditionally operated outside the formal revenue system.
More than ten million Sri Lankans have already secured their TINs, with the IRD offering online verification through its official website. Authorities believe this figure could rise significantly during the week-long campaign as awareness spreads and barriers to registration are addressed.
