Establishment of the Department of Provincial Revenue - Central Province
The Provincial Council administration units were established under the 13th Amendment to the constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Provincial Revenue Departments were established for the purpose of handling the relative tasks to the revenue generating activities.
The Central Provincial Council is the administration unit of province established by amalgamating Kandy, Nuwaraeliya and Matale district together. The Department of Provincial Revenue of Central Province was formed according to the legal framework of the number 17th of 1990, Finance Statute passed by t e Central Provincial Council, within the legal provisions made by constitution.
According to the aforesaid Financial Statute and number 03, 1996 amended Statute and number 4, 2014 Pawn Brokers’ Statute of Central Province there are 13 sources of revenue to be administrated directly or indirectly by the Provincial Commissioner of Revenue.
- Stamp Duty
- Business Turnover Tax (BTT)
- Excise Revenue
- Lotteries Tax
- Motor Vehicle Fees
- Court Fines
- Tax on Prize Competitions
- Tax on Betting
- Fees on Land Alienated under the Land Development Ordinance and the state lands ordinance
- Tax on Minerals Rights
- Fees under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance
- Charges Levied under the Weights and Measures Ordinance
- Fees under the Pawn Brokers’ Statute
Out of these 13 sources, at present, following sources are directly administrated by the Department of Provincial Revenue.
- Stamp Duty
- Tax on Betting
- Mineral Tax
- Pawn Broker Fees
Physical and Human Resources Development
Established in 1991, the Department commenced its functions with an initial staff of seven officers who were attached from the Department of Inland Revenue. At present, the Department has a total cadre of sixty-three (63) officers across all grades.
At the time of its establishment, the Department did not have permanent premises. From 1991 to 1999, the Department was relocated to three different locations. In 1999, the Department acquired its own permanent premises, consisting of a four-storey building situated within the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) area.
Technology Development
Until the year 2000, the Department, as a government institution, maintained its records using a manual database system. In 2000, the Department transitioned to a computerized database system, initially designed for single-user access.
By 2008, the system had been further developed into a multi-user database with enhanced security features. With the introduction of a networked system, authorized officers have been able to access the database from any location within the Department, subject to their respective levels of authority.
At present, the Department operates in a fully computerized environment, significantly enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness of its staff.
Revenue Development
The collection of turn over tax as Rs. 104 million in 1991 and it was able to increase up to Rs. 576 million in 2006. The revenue target for the year 2008 was Rs. 1170 million and it was able to collect Rs. 1328 million. In year 2010 it was increased up to Rs. 1683 million. The collection of the stamp duty as Rs. 30 million in 1991 and it was able to increase up to Rs. 3598 million in 2025.
Service Development
Moving away from the traditional government office approach, the Department of Provincial Revenue, Central Province, has transformed its services from a department-centered approach to a citizen-centered service, in line with the government vision of ” A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”.
Special Achievements
- The Department was able to win top places continuously in Inter-Departmental competitions for improving productivity in the Central province conducted in years 2007, 2008 and 2009
- The Department is always appraised by the Hon. Governor, Hon. Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of Central province on its success in Revenue Generating.