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The Alternatives to Universal Tax Registration in Sri Lanka

This note argues that the Sri Lankan government’s recent proposal to implement universal tax registration is neither a viable nor effective strategy to increase the country’s tax revenue. Instead, the note proposes four alternative measures that are more feasible, while stil...

International Women's Day

In Sri Lanka, as shown above, women are half as likely to enter the labour market, and twice as likely to be unemployed than men. 82% of the unemployment for women comes from between the ages of 20 and 40. This is almost seven times the unemployment compared to women...

Sri Lanka Ports Authority – A Profitable SOE

The SLPA has made an operating profit since 2015. The SLPA revenue has consistently witnessed a growth from 2015 to 2019 , with a marginal decline in 2020.From 2016 onwards the SLPA has managed to make a net prof...

Key Issues Highlighted In The Audior Generals Report

Issues highlighted in bidding process from 2013 to 2020 The following graph highlights the issues in bidding process in the Annual reports of Auditor General from 2013 to 2020. Most of the b...

25 of 52 Key SOEs identified by Ministry of Finance do not have financial data available online from 2017 onwards

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to play a key role in the Sri Lankan economy, particularly in strategic sectors such as energy, water, banking and insurance, public transportation, ports, and aviation.

Committee on Public Finance : Roles and Functions

The Committee on Public Finance(COPF) is one of three parliamentary legislative committees that evaluates external audit reports and other public finance information. This infographic gives a summarized oversight of COPF, its roles and respo...

How important is tax data to the public?

Verité Research filed two Right to Information Requests seeking information from the Department of Inland Revenue. However, these requests and subsequent appeals were both rejected, with no valid reason given.

Expenditure on the Civil Administration Sector (2010 – 2019)

How Much Does Sri Lanka Spend on its Overseas Diplomatic Missions?

Sri Lanka’s expenses on foreign missions has seen a natural increase over the years, with over 50% of those expenses being towards personal emoluments of staff serving in foreign missions. These personal emoluments include salaries and...