Sri Lanka Customs records 30.5% revenue growth in April

Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its monthly revenue target for April by 30.5%, while total collections for the first four months of the year rose by nearly 50% compared to the previous year. Official data reveal the department collected Rs. 236.5 billion in April against a goal of Rs. 181.2 billion, driven by strong import-related flows and enhanced enforcement.

This performance brought the total revenue for the first four months to Rs. 919.3 billion, surpassing the cumulative target by 33.7%. When compared to the same period in 2025, revenue increased by 49.8%. Officials credited this surge to improved valuation practices, stricter enforcement, and a recovery in import activity.

Although the full-year target for 2026 is set at Rs. 2,207 billion—lower than the previous year due to an anticipated drop in vehicle imports—Customs already secured 41.7% of that goal within four months. This follows a record-breaking collection of Rs. 2,551 billion last year, which represented a 64.2% increase over 2024.

Stabilised trade flows and faster container clearance, especially following disruptions in November, supported this recovery. The department is also undergoing institutional reforms, including a shift toward full digitisation to improve border security and trade facilitation. Sri Lanka Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda noted that cooperation from importers, exporters, and clearing agents remained vital to maintaining this operational efficiency.