Sri Lanka Customs collected Rs. 236.5 billion in April, exceeding its monthly target of Rs. 181.2 billion by 30.5%, while revenue in the first four months of 2026 jumped 49.8% over the same period last year, official data showed on Tuesday.
Cumulative collections for January through April reached Rs. 919.3 billion, beating the four-month target by 33.7%, EconomyNext reported. Customs has now hit 41.7% of its full-year target of Rs. 2,207 billion — set 13.5% below the 2025 outcome on the assumption of weaker car imports.
Last year Customs collected a record Rs. 2,551 billion against a revised Rs. 2,241 billion target, after revenues climbed 64.2% on the depressed Rs. 1,553 million base of the previous year.
The agency attributes the run of outperformance to stronger enforcement, improved valuation practices and a rebound in import volumes after years of contraction. Foreign-exchange controls imposed during the 2022 economic crisis suppressed imports, but the stabilisation of reserves and a steady recovery in consumer demand have pulled duties, excise and other levies higher. Officials cited tighter monitoring of under-invoicing and misdeclaration, alongside the acceleration of container clearance since January following Cyclone Ditwah disruptions in November.
The data lands on the same day Wimal Liyanagama assumes duties as the new Customs Director General, succeeding Acting DG Arukgoda. Mr. Liyanagama, a Special Grade Sri Lanka Administrative Service officer, takes charge as the agency posts its fourth straight monthly target beat.
The strong run is a positive indicator ahead of Sri Lanka’s IMF programme reviews, where customs revenue is a closely watched fiscal metric.
