AICPA and CIMA presents National Budget 2027 proposals to Sri Lanka Treasury

AICPA and CIMA Sri Lanka Country Head Tharindu Wijewardena (right) presents the proposals to Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. Others from left: Digital Transformation Evangelist Shanaka Rabel, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Director – Corporate Finance Akila Gunaratne, KPMG Principal/Head of TaxSuresh Perera, Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC Executive Director and Litro Gas Chairman Channa Gunawardena, Softlogic Holdings PLC Director Imran Furkan, Central Finance Company PLC Chairman Manjula De Silva and AICPA and CIMA Sri Lanka Manager Member and Student Services Gayani De Soyza 

AICPA and CIMA recently presented its Sri Lanka National Budget Proposal 2027 to Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, FCMA (UK), CGMA, calling for a strong focus on policies that can unlock productive investment, improve competitiveness and help build the foundations for sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka.

Drawing on discussions with nearly 40 industry leaders, finance professionals and policy experts from across the public and private sectors, the submission brings together recommendations across eight areas: macroeconomic priorities; taxation; education and skills; banking, investment and capital markets; SMEs and entrepreneurship; state-owned enterprises; IT, BPM and global business services; and value-added exports.

Across these eight areas, AICPA and CIMA identified five priorities for consideration in Sri Lanka’s National Budget 2027:

• Creating fiscal space for productive investment;
• Broadening the tax base and strengthening tax administration;
• Increasing the flow of capital to productive sectors;
• Strengthening value-added exports and higher-value services;
• Aligning skills and digital capability with future economic needs.

AICPA and CIMA Vice President APAC Venkkat Ramanan, FCMA (UK), CGMA said: “Sri Lanka has made important progress in strengthening its economic foundations. The priority now is to translate that progress into sustained, investment-led growth that creates opportunities for businesses and people. This will require a clear and consistent policy environment that encourages productive investment, improves competitiveness and equips the workforce with the skills and digital capabilities needed for the future. Through these proposals, AICPA and CIMA is bringing the expertise of the finance and accounting profession to the national conversation, with practical recommendations to strengthen productivity, attract investment and support Sri Lanka’s long-term economic ambitions.”

At the handover the proposals were discussed in detail with Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. The discussion was joined by AICPA and CIMA Sri Lanka Country Head Tharindu Wijewardena ACMA (UK), CGMA alongside CIMA members representing finance, taxation, investment, corporate leadership, and digital transformation.

The discussion covered the submission’s key proposals and their relevance to the wider economy, including taxation, productive investment, access to capital, export competitiveness, technology, and workforce capability.

Tharindu Wijewardena said: “Sri Lanka has an opportunity to shape a stronger and more competitive economy for the future. Realising that potential will require us to look beyond immediate challenges and create the conditions for investment, enterprise, and people to thrive. Through this submission, AICPA and CIMA is bringing the experience and insight of the finance profession to that national conversation. We believe that by working together across government, business and the profession, Sri Lanka can build the foundations for sustainable growth and greater prosperity for the generations to come.”

AICPA and CIMA will continue to engage with policymakers, business leaders and the finance profession in Sri Lanka, bringing its members’ expertise and international perspective to discussions on policies that support investment, productivity, competitiveness and sustainable long-term growth.