Business
‘Don’t drive away what’s helping consumers’, Advocata pushes for checkout tax reform
Thousands of parcels ordered by Sri Lankans from popular e-commerce platforms like TEMU, AliExpress, and eBay are now stuck at customs, caught in a legal grey zone that’s choking the flow of goods. Advocata Institute warns ensuring consumer choice through a competitive market is key to delivering reasonable prices and better quality for Sri Lankans.
Without a modern legal framework enabling e-commerce platforms to collect taxes at the point of sale, the country faces worsening customs delays, supply chain bottlenecks for small businesses, and the loss of millions in potential government revenue, disrupting consumer choice. Sri Lanka’s already complicated tariff system only compounds the problem, making it harder for importers and customs officials alike to navigate duties and clearances efficiently.
Until June, incoming parcels were taxed under an informal “per kilo” system, where agents declared goods as personal effects and paid a flat fee. This unofficial arrangement was manageable until a surge in cross-border shipments, driven by platforms like TEMU, AliExpress and eBay, overwhelmed the system.
In response, customs scrapped the workaround informing the public that they are now using the “correct” instrument. Tax is now levied at the level of individual items. Every parcel’s contents must be individually declared by HS Code to customs. At current volumes, this is impossible.
The result translates into severe backlogs, consumer frustration, and growing pressure on customs officers. SMEs are also suffering as they often source critical inputs from these platforms.
The core problem is legal and tariff complexities: Sri Lanka lacks the legislation to enable e-commerce platforms to act as tax intermediaries. In contrast, countries such as Singapore and Australia have modernised their tax codes to allow foreign vendors to collect and remit taxes upfront before goods even leave their warehouse.
What’s the solution?
Sri Lanka’s current tariff system is notoriously complex, with a maze of duties , levies and exemptions that make customs clearance both time consuming and unpredictable. This complexity creates uncertainty for importers and increases the administrative burden on custom authorities. This also leads to an uneven playing field , where arbitrary exemptions and discretionary application of rules result in unfair advantages for a few at the expense of others.
Advocata recommends adopting a Vendor Collection Model, where platforms collect and remit taxes at the point of sale. This model is used globally and offers several advantages:
● Efficiency: removes the need for HS code classification at customs.
● Fairness: exempts low-value goods through a clear de minimis threshold (e.g. USD 75).
● Accountability: only high-volume platforms (e.g. >10,000 parcels/month) must comply.
● Compliance: platforms register locally or appoint a tax representative.
Why act now?
This is not just about revising tariff rates, it’s about fixing how we collect taxes. Relying on HS code based tariff enforcement at the border for thousands of small parcels is not just impractical, it risks driving e-commerce platforms away altogether. Without reform, parcel delays will worsen, customs will choke, and public revenue will continue leaking all while e-commerce grows.
Allowing e-commerce platforms to operate and expand is ultimately about protecting consumer choice, ensuring trade integrity, and state revenue. As these platforms widen access to goods, they empower consumers with greater choice, driven by the economics of the long tail. This expands variety, coupled with increased competitive pressure, delivers tangible benefits to consumers including lower prices, faster innovation, and greater convenience. Inaction risks undermining these gains.
Business
Constituent Change in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the following change in S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2026 Mid-Year rebalance.
The exclusion and inclusion as announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices, effective from 22nd June 2026 (after the market close of 19th June 2026) are presented below.
The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalization, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. The constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to a single stock cap of 15%, which is employed to reduce single stock concentration.
The S&P SL 20 index has been designed in accordance with international practices and standards. All stocks are classified according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was co-developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MCSI and is widely used by market participants throughout the world.
To be eligible for inclusion, a stock must have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization of 500 million Sri Lankan rupees (Rs), a six-month median daily value traded of Rs 0.25 million and have positive net income over the 12 months prior to the rebalancing reference date. For information, including the complete methodology, please visit: www.spindices.com
Effective from 22nd June 2026 the stocks in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 in alphabetical order are as above.
Business
Teejay Group navigates industry headwinds with financial strength and strategic focus
The Teejay Group recorded revenue of LKR 60.04 billion during the period, reflecting a 10% year-on-year decline, primarily due to continued softness in global textile demand. This performance was largely impacted by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, intensified pricing pressures across key markets, and the resulting decline in volumes, all of which collectively weighed on topline growth.
Group Gross Profit declined by 36% year-on-year to LKR 5.02 billion, mainly attributable to lower production volumes, underutilization of plant capacity, sustained pricing pressures, and an unfavorable product mix. Together, these factors adversely affected margin performance amid a challenging operating environment.
The Group reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 54.7 million, representing a 98% year-on-year decline. This was primarily driven by higher rupee-denominated costs and non-recurring items, provision for doubtful debts, and restructuring costs associated with right-sizing initiatives.
Ajit Gunewardene, Chairman of the Teejay Group said, “The year was marked by persistent global demand softness and pricing pressures, which impacted results. Despite this, we focused on operational efficiency, cost discipline, and strengthening our financial resilience. These actions position the Group to navigate ongoing uncertainty while remaining committed to long-term value creation for our shareholders.”
Despite these near-term challenges, the Teejay Group continues to maintain a strong financial position, supported by disciplined working capital management and a robust liquidity base. As at 31 March 2026, cash and cash equivalents stood at LKR 8.3 billion, while the Group’s net asset base increased by 3% year-on-year to LKR 32.4 billion, reinforcing the resilience of its balance sheet.
Business
Fairfirst celebrates 7 years of supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit
Fairfirst Insurance has once again partnered with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit, continuing its support for the seventh consecutive year. This partnership reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community.
Through this initiative, Fairfirst will provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the highly trained canines attached to the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit. These dogs play a critical role in supporting police operations across the country, assisting with crime detection, narcotics investigations, search and rescue missions, and public safety efforts.
As a company that believes business should create a meaningful impact beyond insurance, Fairfirst remains committed to initiatives that support communities and recognise the vital contributions of those who help keep society safe. This shared commitment to protection and responsibility continues to drive the company’s long-standing partnership with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit.
Commenting on the continued partnership, Ravishankar Wickneswaran, CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, said, “It is a privilege for us to continue supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit for the seventh consecutive year. These dogs serve the country with incredible discipline and loyalty, often in challenging situations. Supporting their wellbeing is one small way for us to give back, and it reflects the FairfirstWay of standing by those who protect and serve our communities every day.”
Fairfirst looks forward to continuing this partnership and contributing to the wellbeing of the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit in the years ahead.
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