The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) commends the Government’s continued focus on building a resilient, transparent, and inclusive economy. The Chamber remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that drive sustainable growth and strengthen the overall business environment in Sri Lanka. President of the NCCSL, Mr. Anura Warnakulasooriya, expressed that “the National Budget 2026 carries an ambitious theme, ‘Building a Strong Economy Together’ with a strategic focus on productivity, inclusive growth, fiscal stability as a progressive and stabilizing step towards economic recovery and long-term fiscal discipline.
He further noted that the Chamber recognizes several positive and constructive aspects in the budget that reflect the Government’s continued commitment to sustainable development and transparency. The Government remains committed to transparent reporting and the eradication of corruption from the system. The proposals are aligned with Sri Lanka’s commitments under the IMF reform programme and the National Policy Framework 2026–2030, focusing on revenue enhancement, broadening the tax base, improving public financial management, and state-enterprise reforms. Some of the key highlights of the National Budget 2026 are as follows;
Sectoral and Programme Priorities
- Major allocations have been directed towards health, education, local government, and digital transformation, signaling a shift toward improved service delivery, and equitable access.
- A strong focus has been placed on SMEs, rural development, inclusive economic participation, and empowerment of women and youth, especially from underserved communities.
- The Government also aims to restart stalled infrastructure projects, strengthen provincial and local governance, and expand investment flows to drive regional growth.
- The budget emphasizes the need for enhanced tax compliance, closing exemptions, and improving revenue collection efficiency.
- Structural reforms in state-owned enterprises, as well as in the labour and land markets, are identified as critical to attracting investment and ensuring debt sustainability.
- The budget represents a crucial step toward restoring investor confidence, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and re-entering international financial markets by 2028.
