The Committee on Public Finance has approved regulations published under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021, according to an official Parliament statement.
The regulations were issued via Gazette No. 2475/28 dated Feb. 13, 2026, and introduce changes affecting duty-free retail operations within Colombo Port City.
The approved measures ease restrictions previously imposed on Sri Lankan citizens purchasing goods from duty-free shopping complexes in the Port City. The move is intended to increase local participation in retail activity within the zone, the statement said.
Officials noted that foreign tourist arrivals to the Port City remain low, accounting for approximately 1.5% of total visitors. The policy shift aims to expand access for domestic visitors and enhance the commercial viability of duty-free outlets.
The Colombo Port City Economic Commission is also monitoring the potential misuse of duty-free goods entering the local market through unauthorized channels, members of the COPF were informed.
Moreover, COPF has also approved amendments to regulations issued under Gazette notifications No. 2471/52, 2471/53, 2471/54 and 2471/55 dated January 16, 2026, relating to the Termination of Employment of Workmen Act (TEWA).
These amendments relate to TEWA, which had previously been declared inapplicable to certain strategically important businesses under a 2025 policy decision.
However, following a petition filed before the Court of Appeal, the government has revised its position through a new gazette. Under the amendment, only Sections 2, 11 and 12 of the law will be exempted for those businesses, while the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
Officials further emphasised that steps are being taken to extend similar exemptions to other categories of strategically important enterprises, identified as Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance (Secondary BSI).
(Newswire)