- Also to ensure timely tax collection
- SJB calls for suspension or non-renewal
President and Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to follow a proper mechanism when issuing Excise licences.
These instructions were given during a meeting with senior officials of the Excise Department, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (5).
He also urged officials to ensure timely tax collection.
The discussion highlighted challenges in collecting Excise taxes and the irregularities that arise in the process. New strategies were explored, including collecting overdue taxes, the revoking of the licences of blacklisted institutions, and addressing entities that fail to collect taxes properly. The discussion also covered the shortcomings of the existing rules and regulations regarding tax collection. The President was made aware of the issues arising in the tax collection process, as well as the weaknesses in the recruitment system for Excise officers. The officials also briefed the President on challenges in the production and packaging processes, highlighting the negative impact of artificial toddy on the public.
President Dissanayake noted the public’s negative perception of the Excise Department and stressed the importance of managing these institutions in a way that supports the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) stated that if any person has been issued liquor licences outside of the prescribed procedure, the Government should take steps to suspend them.
On Wednesday (4), the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled the list of liquor licences that had been issued by the Excise Department during the previous government.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, the National Organiser of the SJB, former Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake said that the Government could make a policy decision and suspend the liquor licences that have been issued in violation of the prescribed procedures, or not to renew such licences. "The Government can take a decision that they are suspending all liquor licences issued from a particular date. If not, they can avoid granting renewal for those licences."
The Daily Morning queried Finance and Planning Deputy Minister, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa as to whether the Government would suspend such licences at some point, but there was no response.
Rathnayake informed the Parliament that the Excise Department had issued 361 liquor licences between 1 January and 6 October of this year, with the details tabled for MPs and the public to review. Of these, 110 were issued in the Western Province, 48 in the Southern Province, and 32 in the Northern Province, while the remaining licences were distributed among the other Provinces: Eastern (22), Central (45), North-Central (14), North-Western (30), Uva (30), and Sabaragamuwa (30). He noted that 172 ‘FL 4’ licences, allowing retail liquor sales in ‘wine stores’ were included in this count. Addressing allegations that some licences were granted to MPs, Rathnayake accused former President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of using these licences as ‘political bribes’ to sway MPs to switch allegiances.