IRD opens direct e-invoice link to RAMIS for VAT filers

Saturday, 3 October 2026 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has published guidelines allowing VAT-registered businesses to submit tax invoices directly from their own accounting systems to its Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), as part of the national e-invoicing system announced in Budget 2026, the Finance Ministry said yesterday.

The link uses a secure Web Application Programming Interface (Web API), a channel that lets a company’s invoicing software exchange data automatically with the IRD’s system, so invoices no longer need to be entered manually when filing VAT returns. The Ministry said the integration is expected to improve efficiency, transparency and data accuracy, ensure timely VAT refunds and strengthen tax compliance.

Implementation has begun for VAT-registered persons whose enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the software businesses use to manage accounts, sales and operations, can be integrated with RAMIS.

The project is being rolled out in three phases. The first phase, a pilot with a select group of companies that upgraded their ERP systems, has been completed with API-ready taxpayers, including an apparel export company and its key suppliers.

The second phase extends the facility to corporate entities, beginning with selected apparel manufacturers, exporters and tea producers operating through tea brokers, before widening it to all VAT-registered persons able to integrate their ERP systems with RAMIS.

The third phase envisages full implementation under the proposed amendment to the Value Added Tax Act, which would require all VAT-registered entities to use compliant invoice-generating systems or secure point-of-sale (POS) systems for transactions, invoicing, payment processing and record-keeping on taxable activities.

The guidelines are available at https://www.ird.gov.lk/en/eServices/Lists/FilingReturns/Attachments/17/VAT_WEB_API_Quick_Guide_v0_1.pdf.