Sri Lanka, April 10 -- The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has collected tax revenue amounting to Rs. 606,002 million during the first quarter of 2026, continuing its strong performance following a record-breaking year in 2025.

According to the IRD, the revenue collected from January 1 to March 31, 2026, marks a 17.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Contributions from all major tax categories, including Income Tax (IT), Value Added Tax (VAT), and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL), have shown notable growth.

The Department attributed the increase in revenue to ongoing economic expansion, effective tax policies, improved tax administration, and the commitment of its officials. It also noted a significant rise in...