Sri Lanka is set to eliminate para-tariffs, including the cess and the port and airport development levy, as part of a comprehensive tariff reform slated for 2026, according to the Deputy Minister of Industry.
“Sri Lanka is preparing for the largest and most decisive shift in its economic transformation, with a new tariff policy set to be implemented in 2026 to better integrate our economy into global value chains,” stated Chathuranga Abeysinghe on social platform X.
He added, “Under this reform, para-tariffs such as Cess and PAL will be removed, and the country will transition to a new import tariff framework consisting of four main categories.”
Abeysinghe’s announcement followed a third round of discussions with World Bank representatives Richard Walker and Anna Twum, who are providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka for this reform.
The discussions also concentrated on establishing national standards for imported goods and the need to prohibit the import of under-invoiced and low-quality products.
The new tariff policy is viewed as a critical step towards enhancing Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the export sector and enabling the country to enter into international trade agreements, Abeysinghe emphasized.
(Colombo/Feb10/2026)
