The Committee on Ways and Means has underscored the urgent need to modernize Sri Lanka’s tax administration through digital technology, expansion of the tax base, and strengthening of institutional capacity, as part of efforts to improve efficiency and fiscal stability.

Meeting recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Wijesiri Basnayake, the Committee reviewed the country’s fiscal performance, progress in tax revenue collection, and ongoing reforms. Officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Inland Revenue Department participated in the discussions.

The Committee examined the 2026 tax plan, revenue collection up to 30 June 2026, estimates by tax category, compliance levels, and the introduction of new technologies to simplify the system. Progress of the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), taxation of digital services, and challenges in administration were also reviewed.

Members noted that recent policy reforms and revenue management measures have contributed to greater stability in the fiscal sector. They emphasized the importance of modernizing tax administration, expanding the taxpayer base, and improving compliance to sustain this progress.

Discussions also focused on enhancing efficiency through electronic services, improved data sharing among institutions, and further development of digital systems. Key challenges highlighted included integrating informal economic activities into the tax net, upgrading technological systems, addressing data integration issues, and developing specialized human resources.

The Committee further discussed the way forward for strengthening RAMIS, expanding electronic registration, filing and payment facilities, and improving overall efficiency of tax administration processes.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Eranga Weeraratne, and Nishantha Jayawera, as well as MPs Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Dr. Nandana Millagala, Sunil Biyanwila, and Chathura Galappaththi, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Inland Revenue Department. (Newswire)

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A special training programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was conducted at the Northern Provincial Chief Secretary’s Office this week (27) to promote the use of AI among public officials.

The training program titled “AI for Transforming Public Service” was conducted by the Presidential Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy.

The program seeks to foster innovation and reform within the public sector through digitalization and AI technology, enhance the efficiency of public service delivery, create pathways for overseas training opportunities, prepare for digital economy policies, improve AI literacy among government officials and develop a new generation of officers aligned with global standards.

The keynote address was delivered by Senior Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Hans Wijesuriya, while officials from the Presidential Secretariat participated as resource persons.

At the conclusion of the program, internationally recognized certificates of participation were awarded to the attendees.

Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan, Chief Secretary Tanuja Murugesan, Deputy Chief Secretary, Provincial Ministry Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Executive Officers of public institutions in the Northern Province were present at the event. (Newswire)

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The Organization representing Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Agents based in the Emirates has requested the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara to speed up the digitalization process of the foreign employment sector.

Issuing a statement, the Association of Ceylon Foreign Employment Agents in the UAE said that the request has been made in order to streamline and accelerate the services and activities of foreign employment agencies that provide employment opportunities to Sri Lankan workers in foreign countries.

The request was made by Sampath Kumarasinghe, Co-Chairman of the Organization of Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Agents in the Emirates, when he met the minister during his recent official visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Sampath Kumarasinghe, stressing the need to digitalize the field of foreign employment, at the earliest said, “We, the representatives who are looking forward to providing more foreign employment opportunities to Sri Lankan workers, would like to draw your attention to the more regularization of work orders. Currently, there are many problems in approving and sending a work order to Sri Lanka and we have to come directly to the embassy to give work orders. Even those who are hundreds of thousands of kilometres away from the embassy have to visit the embassy, and have to do so on several occasions; it is a waste of our time and money”.

“At the same time, work and reputation of employment agencies are affected at times due to various types of deceitful activities of a few people who are recruited and sent to foreign countries for employment”.

“Your comments to the media that the whole process from giving a job order to bringing a worker to a foreign country will be digitalized to streamline and enhance the work has garnered our attention. We appreciate the effort because it is the need of the hour”.

“If it is possible to completely digitalize the activities in this field, then it will be possible to prevent the irregularities reported in the field of foreign employment and thus it will be possible to run this field with more professionalism. Also, we believe that we will be able to better ensure the safety of workers,” he said.

Responding to the request, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara assured that steps will be taken to speed up the digitalization of the foreign employment sector. (NewsWire)

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