Govt. assures uninterrupted operations at key tax collecting agencies amid retirement of senior officials

A solution has been worked out to maintain the operations of key tax collecting agencies uninterrupted with the retirement of over 200 senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs (SLC), Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Excise Department on the 31st of this month, the Finance Ministry said.

A special meeting chaired by State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was held at the Finance Ministry yesterday to resolve potential issues arising from the retirement of these senior officials in the three key tax collecting agencies with little transition period left for the next batch of senior officials to assume the responsibilities of the retiring officials.

Over 100 senior officials from IRD, 60 senior officials from SLC and 55 officials from Excise Department are set to retire on 31st of this month after the government revised the retirement age from 65 to 60.

Following the discussion, Dr. Siyambalapitiya announced that a solution has been worked out to maintain operations of the three authorities uninterrupted without divulging into details.  Last month, the Finance Ministry decided to recruit graduates who are currently engaged in public service to fill over 1,000 vacancies in these three agencies arising from the retirement of senior officials. IRD, SLC and Excise Department collect 95 percent of the tax revenue for the government.