June 02, Colombo (LNW): A national initiative aimed at promoting awareness of tax responsibilities and strengthening the country’s fiscal framework officially commenced today, with a week-long series of activities and public outreach.
Dubbed “National Tax Week”, the programme marks a concerted government effort to encourage civic understanding of taxation and the benefits of timely compliance.
The launch ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attending in his official capacity to underline the significance of the campaign.
Framed under the theme “Badhu Shakthi”, meaning “Power of Tax”, the week-long initiative is being spearheaded by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), with events scheduled nationwide until 7 June.
Deputy Commissioner General of the IRD, P.K.S. Shantha, explained that the campaign is designed to demystify the tax process, assist citizens in understanding their obligations, and shed light on how public funds are utilised for national development.
Officers from the department will engage directly with the public through information booths, community workshops, and media appearances to improve literacy around income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and the role of taxation in building resilient public services.
One of the focal points of this drive is the promotion of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which has become an increasingly essential requirement for a range of official transactions.
These include registering motor vehicles, opening designated types of bank accounts, and participating in formal economic activity.
According to recent statistics, more than 10 million individuals have already secured their TINs, a figure that reflects growing integration into the country’s formal tax network.
