Tax collection should be more efficient for strong national economy: President

President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday assured a room full of Inland Revenue commissioners that their concerns regarding the proposed Inland Revenue Act would be heard, while promising to take immediate steps to fill the posts of additional secretaries currently vacant. 

Sirisena also highlighted that the current methods of tax collections should be more efficient and systematic for the development of the national economy, highlighting the need for government servants to be proficient in revenue collection. 

Speaking at the 16th annual meeting of the Inland Revenue Commissioners Association at the Kingsbury Hotel on Thursday, Sirisena said that the shortcomings of government institutions responsible for tax collection have been highlighted by private sector organisations. Foreign based training is to be introduced to the staff of the Inland Revenue Department, said the President, to improve the quality of tax collection in Sri Lanka.

President Sirisena stressed on the need to levy taxes and collect revenue for the Government in order to improve the quality of life of citizens and to develop the economy. 

“Everyone must fulfil their duties and responsibilities,” he said.

The President also promised the Association immediate recruitment will be done for the posts of Additional Secretaries in the Department vacant since 2007. 

Issues with regards to the Tax Act and new appointments to the department will be discussed after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, he said.

An Award plaque was presented to Retired Senior Commissioner  P. G. K. Samarathunga by the President at this occasion.

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake, State Minister  Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana, Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department Mrs. Kalyani Dahanayake, President of Commissioners’ Association of the Inland Revenue Department   Mahinda Gunaweera and other members  also took part in the event.