Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) – Key Changes Explained

The Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2025 amends the Social Security Contribution Levy Act, No. 25 of 2022. This amendment mainly focuses on revising exemptions and expanding the scope of liable services, with certain changes having retrospective effect .

Below is a summary of only the changes introduced by this Amendment.

Important note on effective dates
Where a specific effective date is not mentioned, the change becomes effective from the date the Act was certified by the Speaker (17 December 2025).

1. Electricity supplied by CEB – date-limited exemption

  • The exemption for electricity supplied by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) now applies only to supplies made before 18 February 2025.

  • Electricity supplied from 18 February 2025 onwards falls outside that exemption.

Effective date: 18 February 2025

2. Fuel (petrol, diesel, kerosene) – clarified by date

Fuel is now clearly treated under two time periods:

  • Fuel sold at filling stations before 1 July 2025

  • Fuel sold from 1 July 2025 onwards

This change clarifies SSCL treatment based on date of sale.

Effective date: 1 July 2025

3. International transport-related services – exemption clarified

The transport-related exemption is clarified to specifically include services connected with international transportation, including services provided by container terminal operators.

Effective date: 17 December 2025 (Speaker-certified date)

4. Gratuity Fund – technical wording change only

A minor wording correction has been made relating to the Gratuity Fund.

This change is technical only and does not affect SSCL liability.

Effective date: 17 December 2025 (Speaker-certified date)

5. Financial services – NEW SSCL exemption

A new exemption has been introduced for certain financial services.

Where a financial service provider:

  • provides financial services in Sri Lanka, and

  • charges VAT at 20.5% under the special VAT rules for financial services,

those services are now exempt from SSCL.

Effective date: 17 December 2025 (Speaker-certified date)

Quick Summary

  • No change to the SSCL rate

  • Some exemptions are date-restricted (CEB, fuel)

  • Certain financial services are newly exempt

  • If no date is stated, 17 December 2025 applies

     

Refer : Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 2025

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