News

Excise duty on liquor & cigarettes upped by 20%

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2023

editor

The Finance Ministry today (03) announced that the excise duty for all varieties of liquor and cigarettes will be increased by 20% from midnight today (03).

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that excise duty on all varieties of liquor, including wines, beer etc. will be increased by 20%.

Due to the 20% increase of Excise Duty on liquor, the prices of a bottle of 750ml Special Arrack will be increased by Rs. 206, locally brewed foreign liquor by Rs. 266, Beer (Vol. 4.8% – 625ml) by Rs. 21 & Beer (Vol. 8.8% – 625ml) by Rs. 39.

He added that the excise duty for cigarettes is increased with effect from the 01st of January 2023.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.