Stakeholder engagement on proposed tariff reforms has commenced as part of the implementation of the 2026 Budget proposals aimed at supporting domestic industries.
The initiative is being jointly undertaken by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the World Bank, and other relevant institutions, with the primary objective of raising awareness of the proposed Four-Band Tariff Policy.
As part of this process, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy held an Awareness and Consultative Programme on February 10, 2026, at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, bringing together key stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing policy development.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Treasury Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade K. A. Vimalenthirarajah, and Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara.
Also present were Richard Walker, Senior Economist at the World Bank Group, other World Bank representatives, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, including Deputy Secretaries to the Treasury A. K. Senavirathna and A. N. Hapugala.
Representatives from the National Tariff Policy Committee, the Industry Advisory Committee, trade chambers, and other government institutions also participated.
The programme focused on providing an overview of the proposed tariff reforms and gathering stakeholder feedback through consultation and dialogue.
The proposed tariff structure, aligned with the United Nations Broad Economic Classification (BEC) Revision 5, is intended to promote export growth, strengthen domestic industries, facilitate trade, and ensure fiscal sustainability.
