The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has recorded its highest-ever tax revenue in history, with a collection of Rs. 1,958,088 million. This total includes Rs. 1,023,207 million from income taxes and Rs. 714,684 million from Value Added Tax (VAT).
The revenue collected in 2024 shows a significant increase of Rs. 392,229 million from 2023 (Rs. 1,565,419 million), reflecting a 25.1% growth rate.
Officials have attributed the surge in tax revenue to improved compliance, policy changes, and economic recovery efforts.
All campaign activities for the forthcoming 2025 Local Government (LG) Election are scheduled to end at midnight on 03 May, according to the National Election Commission.
Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said the period from 03 May until election day will be declared the pre-poll silent period.
He added that the door-to-door distribution of official ballot papers ends today. Those who have not received their ballot papers can collect them from their area’s sub-post office after April 30 by verifying their identity until election day. The Postal Department also issued a similar announcement.
The EC has decided to use the little finger to mark the appropriate symbol during the LG elections this year.
Meanwhile, the distribution of the official election notices given to the Postal Department for distribution is nearly completed.
A police investigation team has been appointed and the names of its members have been submitted to the Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T. M. W. Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power.
This appointment has been made in response to a formal request by the Committee to the Acting IGP, seeking the assistance of a police investigation team to support the Committee’s investigation.
Accordingly, during its third meeting held in Parliament on 28th April 2025, the Committee decided to commence further investigation with the assistance of the appointed police investigation team.
The Committee also decided to reconvene on April 30.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) – Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, officially handed over the Financial Statements and Operations Report 2024 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (April 29).
A copy of the report was also presented to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Several senior officials from the Central Bank were present at the occasion.