Four million Sri Lankan adults yet to obtain TIN numbers

Newswire reports that Inland Revenue Department Commissioner Nandana Kumara said roughly four million Sri Lankan adults have not registered for a Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN. Daily Mirror also reports that about four million adults have not obtained one, while Ada Derana and Ada Derana (සිංහල) report a similar figure for people without a TIN.

Newswire reports that Kumara presented the figures in an interview aired by Ada Derana. He said approximately 13 million people had registered, compared with an estimated adult population of 17 million in Sri Lanka.

Newswire says existing law requires people aged 18 and above to obtain a TIN. Kumara said, according to Newswire, that the rule had earlier been applied only in connection with certain essential purposes.

Newswire reports that Kumara addressed concerns about registration, saying a TIN does not on its own require someone to pay tax. It says he explained that payment applies only to individuals who meet the relevant tax-liability criteria, and that misunderstandings about the registration process had caused public unease.

Newswire reports that Kumara said the requirement was introduced to improve and streamline Sri Lanka’s tax system. The reports give no further details about implementation or subsequent steps.