Definition
Stamp Duty is charged under section 37 of the Finance Statute of the Central Province No. 17 of 1990. Stamp Duty is charged on:
- Every instrument relating to a transfer of immovable property situated within the Central Province.
- Every document presented or filed in proceedings instituted in any court of law established by law in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Stamp Duty rates
| No. | Instrument | Basis of charge | Rs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Gift of immovable property* | ||
| a | Value Rs. 50,000 or less | For every Rs. 100 or part thereof | 3.00 |
| b | Value exceeds Rs. 50,000 | On the first Rs. 50,000 On the balance, for every Rs. 100 or part thereof | 1,500.00 2.00 |
| 02 | Selling immovable property* | ||
| a | Value Rs. 100,000 or less | For every Rs. 100 or part thereof | 3.00 |
| b | Value exceeds Rs. 100,000 | On the first Rs. 100,000 On the balance, for every Rs. 100 or part thereof | 3,000.00 4.00 |
| 03 | Exchange of any property – not between co-heirs* | ||
| a | If equal value | The same duty as on a conveyance of such property at its market value | — |
| b | If not equal value | The same duty as on a conveyance of the property of higher value, computed at its market value | — |
| 04 | Exchange of any property – between co-heirs* | ||
| a | If equal value | Per instrument | 10.00 |
| b | If not equal value | The same duty as payable on the transfer of a property whose value equals the difference in market value of the properties exchanged | — |
* Co-heirs means the persons who inherit the property on the death of the intestate.
** As per the Matrimonial Causes Act.
Valuation for Stamp Duty (immovable property)
(a) In relation to any property (other than immovable property which is gifted) and to any date, “value” means the price which, in the opinion of the Assessor, that property would have fetched if sold in the open market on that date.
(b) In relation to immovable property which is gifted, being property acquired by the donor on or before 31 March 1977, the lower of:
- the price the property would have fetched in the open market on 31 March 1977, increased by the cost of improvements, alterations and additions made after that date and before the date of the gift; or
- the price the property would have fetched in the open market on the date of the instrument of gift.
(c) In relation to immovable property which is gifted, being property acquired by the donor after 31 March 1977, the lower of:
- the price the property would have fetched in the open market on the date it was acquired by the donor, increased by the cost of improvements, alterations and additions made after that date and before the date of the gift; or
- the price the property would have fetched in the open market on the date of the instrument of gift.
Last updated: October 21, 2026