WP cuts taxes for entertainment, events

Friday, 17 July 2026 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Western Province (WP) Provincial Council has reduced entertainment tax rates applicable to cinemas, sporting events, and concerts held within the Colombo Municipal Council area under a new Gazette issued by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof.

Published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2489/69 dated 22 May 2026, the revised tax schedule is based on a resolution approved by the Colombo Municipal Council on 31 December 2025 and lowers tax rates across nearly all categories.

Under the new rates, admission fees for permanent and temporary cinemas will be subject to a 7% entertainment tax, down from 10%. International sporting events will attract a 14% tax, reduced from 15%, while local sports competitions will be taxed at 7%, down from 10%. School-organised sporting events will be subject to a 6% tax, compared with 8% previously, while tournaments organised by school sports associations and higher educational institution student unions for student welfare will also be taxed at 6%, reduced from 7%.

Concerts featuring foreign artistes will be taxed at 10%, down from 15%, while concerts featuring local artistes will attract a 7% levy, compared with 15% previously. Dance performances, DJ events, and dinner dances without foreign artistes will be subject to an 8% entertainment tax, reduced from 15%.

A concessional 5% tax will apply to concerts organised by welfare societies, alumni associations, registered social organisations, schools and student unions for welfare purposes, as well as performances featuring local theatre songs and special one-time concerts by renowned artistes, down from the previous 10% rate.

The Gazette also retains a full entertainment tax exemption for concerts approved by the Chief Minister to raise funds for the medical treatment of seriously ill veteran artistes or for the final performance of a veteran artiste aged over 75 years, subject to the specified conditions.