Sri Lanka’s total government revenue, excluding grants, recorded a substantial increase during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to a new report released by the Ministry of Finance.
The report reveals that total revenue rose by 24.8%, reaching Rs. 2,321.7 billion in the first half of 2025, up from Rs. 1,860.6 billion a year earlier. The growth was largely driven by higher tax revenue, which expanded by 25.9% to Rs. 2,151.1 billion, compared to Rs. 1,709.3 billion in the first half of 2024.
Key contributors to this increase included higher collections from excise duties on motor vehicles, Value Added Tax (VAT), customs import duties, income taxes, special commodity taxes, social security taxes, excise duties on petroleum and liquor, and the CESS levy.
The Ministry highlighted that excise duty on motor vehicles saw the sharpest rise, soaring by 335.6% (Rs. 99.5 billion). VAT revenue grew by 27.6% (Rs. 170.4 billion), while customs import duties climbed by 92.7% (Rs. 45.2 billion). Other notable increases included income taxes up by 9.2% (Rs. 41.3 billion), special commodity taxes up 70.5% (Rs. 32.1 billion), and social security contributions up 17.7% (Rs. 22.3 billion).
Revenue from excise duties on petroleum rose 15.5% (Rs. 15 billion), excise duties on liquor increased 9.2% (Rs. 9.1 billion), and CESS levy collections were up 9.3% (Rs. 3.5 billion).
According to the Finance Ministry, the strong performance reflects both improved tax administration and policy measures aimed at strengthening fiscal stability.
