Public finance
Government revenue, expenditure, the budget deficit and how it is financed.
533 series · 15 tables · 1950–2026
from CBSL, IMF, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and 2 other agencies
Revenue and grants
Rs billion, annual
Expenditure
Rs billion, annual
Overall balance
Rs billion, annual
Primary balance
Rs billion, annual
Overall balance, share of GDP
Per cent, annual
Revenue, share of GDP
Per cent, annual
Expenditure, share of GDP
Per cent, annual
Tax revenue
Rs billion, annual
Key figures
Revenue and grantsRs5,486bn2025, +34.1% on a year earlier ExpenditureRs6,230bn2025, +1.6% on a year earlier Overall balanceRs−744.9bn2025 Primary balanceRs1,756bn2025, +170.3% on a year earlier Overall balance, share of GDP−2.27%2025, +4.5 pts on a year earlier Revenue, share of GDP16.75%2025, +3.2 pts on a year earlier Expenditure, share of GDP19.02%2025, −1.3 pts on a year earlier Tax revenueRs5,049bn2025, +36.3% on a year earlierEvery figure is as the Ministry of Finance publishes it; the change on a year earlier is calculated by Macro Lab.
Typing filters the tables below. Press Enter to list every public finance series that matches.
Headline
Government revenue, spending and the balance.
Fiscal operations, summaryFiscal operations in summary: revenue, expenditure, the balances and their financing.17 indicators, annual, 1990–2025, from MoFFrom: CBSL fiscal statistical tablesShow the 17 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue - tax | 5,049.2Rs bn | +36.3% | 2025 | |
| Revenue - total (tax and non tax) | 5,449.4Rs bn | +35.2% | 2025 | |
| Grants | 36.1Rs bn | −39.7% | 2025 | |
| Revenue and grants | 5,485.6Rs bn | +34.1% | 2025 | |
| Expenditure - recurrent | 5,232.4Rs bn | −2.0% | 2025 | |
| Expenditure - capital and net lending | 998.0Rs bn | +26.2% | 2025 | |
| Expenditure - total | 6,230.4Rs bn | +1.6% | 2025 | |
| Current A/C surplus(+)/ deficit(-) | 217.0Rs bn | – | 2025 | |
| Primary A/C surplus(+)/ deficit(-) | 1,755.8Rs bn | +170.3% | 2025 | |
| Overall budget surplus(+)/ deficit | −744.9Rs bn | – | 2025 | |
| Financing - foreign | 142.4Rs bn | −57.3% | 2025 | |
| Financing - domestic | 602.5Rs bn | −64.7% | 2025 | |
| Financing - privatisation | 0.0Rs bn | – | 2024 | |
| Financing - total financing | 744.9Rs bn | −63.5% | 2025 | |
| As a % of GDP (a) - revenue and grants | 16.75% of GDP | +23.2% | 2025 | |
| As a % of GDP (a) - expenditure | 19.02% of GDP | −6.6% | 2025 | |
| As a % of GDP (a) - overall budget surplus (+)/ deficit (-) | −2.27% of GDP | – | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Fiscal operations, monthlyFiscal operations, monthly.8 indicators, monthly and annual, 2020–2026, from CBSL and MoFFrom: CBSL Monthly BulletinShow the 8 rows
Shown at monthly; the series pages have the other setting.Download this table (CSV)
| Indicator | Latest, Rs bn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue and grants | 581.1 | +2.6% | Aug 2026 | |
| Expenditure and net lending | 435.9 | +3.4% | Aug 2026 | |
| Overall budget balance | 145.1 | 0.0% | Aug 2026 | |
| Domestic financing | −295.0 | – | May 2026 | |
| Foreign financing | 202.7 | – | May 2026 | |
| Total financing | −92.3 | – | May 2026 | |
| Grants | 640.0 | −47.5% | Aug 2026 | |
| Primary balance | 296.0 | −2.3% | Aug 2026 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Long-run series since 1950Revenue, expenditure and the deficit, one line each since 1950.17 indicators, annual, 1950–2025, from MoFFrom: CBSL Annual Economic Review statistical appendixShow the 17 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue | 5,049.2Rs bn | +36.3% | 2025 | |
| Total revenue (tax and non-tax) | 5,449.4Rs bn | +35.2% | 2025 | |
| Grants | 36.1Rs bn | −39.7% | 2025 | |
| Revenue and grants | 5,485.6Rs bn | +34.1% | 2025 | |
| Recurrent expenditure | 5,232.4Rs bn | −2.0% | 2025 | |
| Capital expenditure and net lending | 998.0Rs bn | +26.2% | 2025 | |
| Total expenditure | 6,230.4Rs bn | +1.6% | 2025 | |
| Current account surplus(+)/deficit(-) | 217.0Rs bn | – | 2025 | |
| Primary account surplus(+)/deficit(-) | 1,755.8Rs bn | +170.3% | 2025 | |
| Overall surplus(+)/deficit(-) | −744.9Rs bn | – | 2025 | |
| Total financing | 744.9Rs bn | −63.5% | 2025 | |
| Revenue and grants, % of GDP | 16.7% | +3.2 pts | 2025 | |
| Expenditure, % of GDP | 19.0% | −1.3 pts | 2025 | |
| Overall deficit, % of GDP | −2.3% | +4.5 pts | 2025 | |
| Financing | ||||
| Financing: foreign | 142.4Rs bn | −57.3% | 2025 | |
| Financing: domestic | 602.5Rs bn | −64.7% | 2025 | |
| Privatisation ended | 1.0Rs bn | −58.1% | 2005 | |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Revenue
Where the money comes from.
Government revenueRevenue by source: income tax, VAT, excise, customs and non-tax revenue.9 indicators, annual, 1990–2025, from MoFFrom: CBSL fiscal statistical tablesShow the 9 rows
| Indicator | Latest, Rs mn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue - direct tax | 1,139,373.1 | +11.0% | 2025 | |
| Tax revenue - indirect tax | 3,909,818.6 | +46.0% | 2025 | |
| Tax revenue - total | 5,049,191.7 | +36.3% | 2025 | |
| Non-Tax revenue | 400,210.3 | +22.7% | 2025 | |
| Total revenue | 5,449,402.0 | +35.2% | 2025 | |
| Direct tax / total tax (%) | 22.6 | −18.5% | 2025 | |
| Indirect tax / total tax (%) | 77.4 | +7.1% | 2025 | |
| Total tax / total revenue (%) | 92.7 | +0.8% | 2025 | |
| Non tax / total revenue (%) | 7.3 | −9.3% | 2025 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Government revenue in detailRevenue in detail, monthly.19 indicators, monthly and annual, 2020–2026, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Monthly BulletinShow the 19 rows
Shown at monthly; the series pages have the other setting.Download this table (CSV)
| Indicator | Latest, Rs bn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 215.9 | +22.2% | May 2026 | |
| Ports and airports development levy | 15.8 | −5.7% | May 2026 | |
| VAT - manufacturing/non-manufacturing | 80.0 | +31.9% | May 2026 | |
| VAT - imports | 68.3 | +17.9% | May 2026 | |
| VAT - total | 148.3 | +25.0% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - liquor | 21.0 | +29.7% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - cigarettes | 8.4 | −20.2% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - petroleum | 11.1 | −40.8% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - motor vehicles | 41.3 | +24.5% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - other | 581.0 | +37.3% | May 2026 | |
| Excise tax - total | 82.4 | +4.2% | May 2026 | |
| Import duties | 25.6 | +53.4% | May 2026 | |
| Other tax revenue | 58.8 | +28.9% | May 2026 | |
| Non-Tax revenue - profits and dividends | 915.0 | −72.1% | May 2026 | |
| Non-Tax revenue - fines, fees and charges | 15.3 | +9.3% | May 2026 | |
| Non-Tax revenue - other | 15.0 | −5.7% | May 2026 | |
| Non-Tax revenue - total | 33.2 | +8.0% | Aug 2026 | |
| Total tax revenue | 547.2 | +2.4% | Aug 2026 | |
| Total revenue | 580.4 | +2.7% | Aug 2026 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Expenditure
Where the money goes.
Expenditure by economic typeExpenditure by economic type: salaries, interest, transfers, capital.13 indicators, annual, 1990–2025, from MoFFrom: CBSL fiscal statistical tablesShow the 13 rows
| Indicator | Latest, Rs bn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent expenditure - salaries and wages | 1,163.9 | +9.2% | 2025 | |
| Recurrent expenditure - other goods and services | 334.7 | −4.6% | 2025 | |
| Recurrent expenditure - interest payments | 2,500.7 | −7.0% | 2025 | |
| Recurrent expenditure - current transfers and subsidies | 1,233.1 | 0.0% | 2025 | |
| Recurrent expenditure - total | 5,232.4 | −2.0% | 2025 | |
| Capital expenditure - acquisition of real assets | 720.4 | +26.4% | 2025 | |
| Capital expenditure - capital transfers | 267.1 | +29.1% | 2025 | |
| Capital expenditure - total | 987.5 | +27.2% | 2025 | |
| Lending minus repayments | 10.6 | −25.7% | 2025 | |
| Economic classification of expenditure: total | 6,230.4 | +1.6% | 2025 | |
| Capital expenditure - other ended | 1.3 | −42.5% | 2022 | |
| Recurrent expenditure - adjustment for arrears as per the ministry of finance ended | −123.4 | – | 2020 | |
| Adjustment for arrears on capital expenditure as per the ministry of finance ended | −299.2 | – | 2020 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Government expenditure in detailExpenditure in detail, monthly.8 indicators, monthly, 2021–2026, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Monthly BulletinShow the 8 rows
| Indicator | Latest, Rs bn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries and wages | 103.9 | +7.7% | May 2026 | |
| Interest | 176.1 | −4.9% | May 2026 | |
| Pension | 42.0 | +21.2% | May 2026 | |
| Samurdhi/Aswesuma | 20.6 | +18.9% | May 2026 | |
| Other recurrent | 85.4 | +28.4% | May 2026 | |
| Total recurrent | 381.9 | +0.4% | Aug 2026 | |
| Capital and net lending | 54.0 | +31.8% | Aug 2026 | |
| Total expenditure | 486.3 | +5.1% | May 2026 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Expenditure by functionStopped 2023Expenditure by function: defence, education, health, welfare.11 indicators, annual, 1990–2023, from MoF; no new readings since 2023From: CBSL fiscal statistical tablesShow the 11 rows
| Indicator | Latest, Rs mn | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrent - general public services ended | 2.0 | −16.7% | 2023 | |
| Recurrent - social services ended | 4.9 | +7.9% | 2023 | |
| Recurrent - economic services ended | 0.7 | −12.7% | 2023 | |
| Recurrent - other ended | 9.5 | +38.6% | 2023 | |
| Recurrent - total ended | 17.1 | +17.2% | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditure and lending - general public services ended | 0.2 | +5.0% | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditure and lending - social services ended | 0.5 | +2.4% | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditure and lending - economic services ended | 2.7 | −23.3% | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditure and lending - other ended | 1,365.6 | −11.3% | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditure and lending - total ended | 3.4 | −19.3% | 2023 | |
| Total expenditure ended | 17,685,854.0 | +93865033.6% | 2023 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
Wider government
The consolidated budget and the provincial councils.
Consolidated budgetThe consolidated budget of central and provincial government.42 indicators, annual, 2013–2024, from CBSLFrom: CBSL Economic and Social StatisticsShow the 42 rows
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
For specialists
A monthly series that ran for one year.
Fiscal operations, monthly, 2019Stopped 2019Fiscal operations, monthly, 2019 only.26 indicators, monthly, 2019, from MoF; no new readings since Jul 2019From: MoF Data and StatisticsShow the 26 rows
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
International sources
The same economy through the IMF, the World Bank and other international bodies.
IMF World Economic OutlookThe IMF's World Economic Outlook series for Sri Lanka, annual; the April 2026 edition gives no projections for Sri Lanka.10 indicators, annual, 1990–2024, from IMFFrom: IMF data (WEO, PCPS, IMTS)Show the 10 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue, general government, domestic currency (IMF WEO) | 4,090.8Rs bn | +33.1% | 2024 | |
| Revenue, general government, percent of GDP (IMF WEO) | 13.7% | +2.5 pts | 2024 | |
| Expenditure, general government, domestic currency (IMF WEO) | 5,713.0Rs bn | +6.7% | 2024 | |
| Net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government, domestic currency (IMF WEO) | −1,622.2Rs bn | – | 2024 | |
| Net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government, percent of GDP (IMF WEO) | −5.4% | +2.9 pts | 2024 | |
| Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government, domestic currency (IMF WEO) | 650.3Rs bn | +275.2% | 2024 | |
| Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government, percent of GDP (IMF WEO) | 2.2% | +1.5 pts | 2024 | |
| Gross debt, general government, domestic currency (IMF WEO) | 30,149.7Rs bn | −0.4% | 2024 | |
| Gross debt, general government, percent of GDP (IMF WEO) | 100.8% | −9.5 pts | 2024 | |
| Expenditure, general government, percent of GDP (IMF WEO) | 19.1% | −0.4 pts | 2024 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.
World Bank indicatorsStopped 2020World Bank World Development Indicators for Sri Lanka, annual (CC BY 4.0).2 indicators, annual, 1985–2020, from the World Bank; no new readings since 2020From: World Bank: World Development Indicators and International Debt StatisticsShow the 2 rows
| Indicator | Latest | On a year earlier* | Period | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed forces personnel, total (world bank WDI) ended | 317,000number | 0.0% | 2020 | |
| Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force) (world bank WDI) ended | 3.74% of total labor force | +2.5% | 2020 |
* Calculated by Macro Lab from the published values.