Sri Lanka, Jan. 29 -- Sri Lanka's Inland Revenue Department has initiated an extensive field observation programme across Colombo and its suburbs to formally expand the national tax base and ensure greater compliance.

The initiative, announced by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, marks a proactive shift in the government's revenue collection strategy. Officials from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) are conducting door-to-door inspections of business establishments to verify their legal registration status and confirm the accuracy of existing tax files. Beyond enforcement, the programme is designed to identify individuals and businesses eligible for taxation who remain outside the formal system, while providing immedi...