Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Registration of Sri Lankan Expatriates, Dual Citizens and Permanent Citizens living abroad under Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 (IRA)

Monday, 22 January 2024 21:42

Notice to the Public

Kindly note that in terms of section 102 (1) of Inland Revenue Act (IRA) that every person chargeable with Income Tax shall obtain the registration with the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue (CGIR) via website: http://www.ird.gov.lk/. Accordingly, any Sri Lankan expatriate, a dual citizen or a permanent citizen having a taxable income as per provisions of IRA is mandatory to register under the said section.

Further to that, the Minister in terms of section 102(3) of IRA may specify the additional classes of persons who are required to get the registration under IRA irrespective of the chargeability there under.

The gazette notification bearing No.2334/21 dated 31/05/2023 issued in line with the above provision specifies such additional categories including those who are at the age of 18 years as at the date of 31/12/2023 and attaining such age on or after the date of 01/01/2024.

The said gazette notification is not applicable in the case of Sri Lankan non-residents. Therefore, any Sri Lankan non-resident person is not required to get the registration as above.

However, the government budget for the year 2024 has made proposals to mandate the TIN requirement for the purposes of following activities within Sri Lanka. Therefore, any non-resident person intending to perform such an activity is advised to be registered with the CGIR.

· Opening a current Account

· Obtaining approval for a building plan

· Registering a motor vehicle, renewing the revenue license

· Registering title deeds on lands.

More information could be accessed via: http://www.ird.gov.lk/en/Lists/Latest%20News%20%20Notices/Attachments/555/CMN27122023_E%20-%20Registration.pdf

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

Thai Pongal Message of H.E. the President

Monday, 15 January 2024 17:18

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Professor Wimal Rankaduwa appointed Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Halifax, Nova Scotia

Friday, 05 January 2024 17:56

The Commission of Appointment of Honorary Consul for the province of Nova Scotia was ceremoniously handed over by Actg. High Commissioner Anzul Banu Jhan to Professor Wimal Rankaduwa on 04^th January 2024, at the office of the High Commission in Ottawa.

Actg. High Commissioner emphasized on the need to focus on promoting bilateral trade, investment and tourism apart from routine consular assistance. She also informed that Sri Lanka is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and has potential to become a transshipment hub for Canadian Agricultural goods. Honorary Consul emphasized that Halifax being an important Canadian port and that relations between ports of both countries could be looked in to. He also said he plans to build on his network with the community to facilitate outreach and consular service. Minister Counsellor Lashinka Dammullage and the consular staff briefed him on the consular functions that come under his purview in the province of Nova Scotia.

The office of the Honorary Consul is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and he could be reached on +1-902-449-0727 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Honorary Consul Rankaduwa is a Sri Lankan-Canadian academic and an outstanding community service leader living in the Maritimes since 1987. Currently, he is a Professor of Economics at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), where he has served as a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate for several years. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the Dalhousie University (DAL) and the Department of Economics at Saint Mary’s University( SMU) in Nova Scotia. Before joining UPEI he taught at Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia, University of Peradeniya and University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Dalhousie University and B.A. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

In 1990, he launched the first ever Sri Lankan- Canadian series of radio ‘Voice of Taprobane’ and in 1995, he also found the television program ‘Taprobane’ to promote cultural awareness through creative entertainment.

He is one of the recipients of Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes of Canada in 2018. His service was also recognized by Resolution No. 3501 in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by the Honorable Lena Metledge Diab,ECNS,MLA, Minister of Immigration, on May 04, 2016.

He is married to Ms. Sandya Rankaduwa and blessed with four children.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

04^th January 2024

Chanaka Kurera appointed Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Montreal, Quebec

Friday, 05 January 2024 17:54

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The Commission of Appointment of Honorary Consul for the province of Quebec was ceremoniously handed over by Actg High Commissioner Anzul Banu Jhan to Mr. Chanaka Kurera on 04^th January 2024, at the office of the High Commission in Ottawa.

Briefing on the functions and duties, Actg. High Commissioner stated that the role of the Honorary Consul in the modern context goes beyond routine consular related assistance, and he would be expected to assist the High Commission in promoting the interest of Sri Lanka with focus on outreach, promotion of tourism, trade and investment. Honorary Consul Kurera informed that he is already in contact with the Sri Lankan community in Quebec and is looking forward to work on identified priority areas under the guidance of the High Commission. He also informed his intent to constitute a business council to support trade and investment between Canada and Sri Lanka. Minister Counsellor Lashinka Dammullage and the consular staff briefed him on the consular functions that come under his purview.

The office of the Honorary Consul is based in Montreal, Quebec and he could be reached on +1-514-963-5140 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Honorary Consul Kurera is the Co-founder, President and CEO of Cha’s Organics, Regenerative Organic Lanka Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd and Pearl Garden Mills (Pvt) Ltd. Among his achievements as Co-founder and CEO, his company has won, Canadian Grocer Sustainability Award, West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce Accolades Award and Canada Organic Trade Association Organic Innovator of the year.

He is fluent in Japanese and is an old boy of Maris Stella College, Negambo, Sri Lanka.

He is married to Ms. Marise May and blessed with two daughters.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

04^th January 2024