News

Higher excise revenue in 2022 amidst challenges!

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2022

editor

The Excise Department’s 2022 revenue received so far is equal to the excise revenue received in 2021 despite many challenges such as rising raw material prices, fuel shortages and lockdowns.

In 2021, the revenue of the Excise Department was Rs.139 billion.

Excise Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri said that it is a pleasure to be able to meet the expected revenue target within the first 11 months of this year.

Accordingly, he said the target of excise revenue of Rs.165 billion will be achieved by the end of 2022.

The Commissioner General said that the prevention of revenue leakage through the programme commenced on January 3 this year to affix stickers on bottles of local and foreign liquor was a key reason to raise the revenue quickly.

He also said that a few officers in the department made many attempts to disrupt this programme, but due to the commendable work of the majority of officers who work with great dedication and responsibility, they were able to increase the income.

Main factors that have contributed to the decrease in the demand of liquor since the beginning of 2022 include higher price of raw materials required for alcohol production including ethanol, shortage of fuel, the lockdowns, the widening of the gap between the income and expenditure of the people, inflation, the imposition of VAT, the imposition of social security taxes and constant alcohol price hikes.

Accordingly, there is a 40% decrease in demand compared to the previous year.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, arrested

Published

6 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,