Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday, 11 November 2025 03:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) yesterday said the 2026 Budget represents a key step towards restoring investor confidence, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and re-entering international financial markets by 2028.
The Chamber commended the Government’s continued focus on building a resilient, transparent, and inclusive economy, reaffirming its commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that drive sustainable growth and strengthen the overall business environment.
NCCSL President Anura Warnakulasooriya said the 2026 Budget carries an ambitious theme, “Building a Strong Economy Together,” with a strategic focus on productivity, inclusive growth, and fiscal stability as a progressive and stabilising step towards economic recovery and long-term fiscal discipline.
“The Chamber recognises several positive and constructive aspects in the Budget that reflect the Government’s continued commitment to sustainable development and transparency,” he said.
“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 International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program and the National Policy Framework 2026-2030, focusing on revenue enhancement, broadening the tax base, improving public financial management, and State-enterprise reforms,” he added.
The NCCSL highlighted several noteworthy items from the 2026 Budget.
The Budget 2026 prioritises major allocations to health, education, Local Government, and digital transformation, signalling a shift towards improved service delivery and equitable access. It places strong emphasis on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), rural development, and the inclusion and empowerment of women and youth, particularly 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 further underscores the need for improved tax compliance, the closing of exemptions, and greater efficiency in revenue collection. 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.
