COLOMBO, Sept 4 (ePRESS) – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) held a special felicitation ceremony on September 1 to honour R. P. H. Fernando, Commissioner General of the Department of Inland Revenue, continuing its longstanding tradition of recognising national leaders in finance.
CA Sri Lanka President Heshana Kuruppu reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Institute and the Inland Revenue Department, stressing decades of joint work in shaping fiscal policy and tax administration. He said Chartered Accountants are guided by ethics and integrity, and play a vital role in building public trust.
“Taxation may never be the most popular subject, but it is an indispensable pillar of progress. A fair and robust tax system is about justice, responsibility, and opportunity for generations yet to come,” Kuruppu said. He also underlined the importance of digitalisation in creating a more transparent and efficient tax system.
Fernando, accepting the honour, thanked CA Sri Lanka for its support and highlighted the role accountants play in ensuring compliance. “Our collective journey towards economic stability is not just about fiscal policy. It is about every citizen contributing their fair share to the nation’s progress,” she said.
She outlined the Department’s focus on data-driven enforcement and the creation of a High Wealth Individuals Unit, aimed at ensuring equitable contributions through global best practices. She also pointed to efforts to simplify tax laws and strengthen ties with professional bodies to make compliance easier for all citizens.
Fernando further noted that the Department is working closely with Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, enabling joint audits with law enforcement to fight financial crimes linked to tax evasion.
