News
New tax will be a blow to Sri Lankan IT sector – SB leader Dilith
Saravajana Balaya (SB) leader MP Dilith Jayaweera yesterday said that the new 15% services export tax, would only discourage creative entrepreneurship and drive foreign exchange transactions into informal channels like the Undiyal system.
Speaking to the media, in Colombo, Jayaweera said that a Bill to amend the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, had revealed that the gains and profits earned or derived in foreign currency and remitted through a bank to Sri Lanka would be taxed at 15%.”
Jayaweera said that the tax applied to freelancers and professionals, including content creators on YouTube and Facebook, freelance creatives using platforms like Fiverr, and consultants such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants.
Jayaweera described the tax as a severe blow to entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, warning that it would reduce foreign exchange inflows at a time when the country urgently needs them.
Calling for collective action, regardless of political divisions, he urged all parties to pressure the government to withdraw what he termed an unfair tax.
News
Amendment of the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 in order to introduce amendments to the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 including the proposed tax revisions to enhance the tax structure paving way for state financial integrity based on revenue.
Accordingly, the revised draft bill has been prepared by the legal draftsman and clearance of the Attorney General has been received.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for
the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently, forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet nod for “National Mineral Policy” – 2026
The National Mineral Policy was prepared for the first time in the year 1999, and the aforementioned policy has been amended in 2023 to cover matters such as preparing an updated data system related to mineral resources, adding value to the export of minerals, encouraging mineral-related industrialists, extracting mineral resources and managing the environment sustainably, and resolving the issues related to the ownership of the land arising in extracting mineral resources.
The revised National Mineral Policy has been reupdated in line with the manifesto “A Sustainable Resource Utilization – Generation of the Highest Benefit” under the policy statement of the current government” A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the Minister of Industries and
Entrepreneurship to implement the so-formulated “National Mineral Policy—2026.”
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