The Excise Department reveals that Rs. 588 million of tax arrears for 2023 has been collected from four liquor manufacturers to date, while the manufacturers have been given time until 30 November to pay the outstanding amount.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Excise Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri said that as the department had allowed for the tax arrears to be paid in instalments, the four companies had paid a total of Rs. 588 million so far.
“They have to pay a remaining amount of approximately Rs. 550 million. The instalments can be paid until 30 November,” said Gunasiri.
On Wednesday (10), the Committee on Ways and Means expressed displeasure over the Excise Department’s failure to act on the recommendations given by the committee in April to collect the total tax amount of Rs. 1.1 billion for 2023 from the relevant liquor manufacturers on or before 30 June.
Accordingly, it has been revealed that W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd. owes Rs. 1,659 million, Hingurana Distilleries owes Rs. 102 million, Synergy Distilleries owes Rs. 37 million, and Wayamba Distilleries owes Rs. 79 million in arrears for 2023.