Sri Lanka Customs has reported a remarkable revenue achievement of Rs. 2 trillion as of September 15 this year, according to a statement from the agency’s spokesperson. This performance indicates a strong possibility of surpassing the projected revenue target for the second consecutive year.
Chandana Punchihewa, the spokesperson for Customs, confirmed that the agency reached the Rs. 2 trillion mark on Tuesday, September 15. The revenue target set for 2026 is Rs. 2,207 billion. As of mid-September, Customs has successfully collected over 90% of this target.
Official statistics show that the agency has consistently exceeded its monthly revenue targets for the last eight months. In the previous year, Customs achieved a record revenue of Rs. 2,551 billion, surpassing a revised target of Rs. 2,241 billion and marking a significant 64.2% increase compared to the prior year’s revenue of Rs. 1,553 million.
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For the current year, Customs has established a revenue goal of Rs. 2,207 billion, which represents a 13.5% reduction from last year’s target, primarily due to anticipated declines in vehicle imports.
The surge in revenue can be attributed to enhanced enforcement measures, better valuation practices, and a resurgence in import volumes following a prolonged period of decline. After the economic crisis of 2022, imports significantly decreased as the country implemented restrictions to safeguard foreign exchange reserves.
However, improvements in reserve stability, the easing of certain import restrictions, and a gradual recovery in consumer demand have led to increased customs revenue from import duties, excise taxes, and other levies.
Officials have highlighted that more stringent monitoring of under-invoicing and misdeclaration of goods has further contributed to the rise in state revenue. The combined impact of heightened import activities, currency fluctuations, and rigorous enforcement measures has positioned Customs as a crucial revenue source for the Treasury in 2025, providing essential support as the government aims to adhere to fiscal goals set forth in the IMF-backed program.
