President’s DG Gunasiri requests 22 liquor licences!

President’s Director General (Government Revenue) M.J. Gunasiri has requested the Excise Commissioner General to provide observations and further recommendations regarding the issuance of 22 new liquor licences  .

The letter dated on February 13 has been sent seeking approval for opening up retail liquor stores in Jaffna, Mankulam, Kiran, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Kithulgala, Beliatta, Hambantota, Tissamaharama, Kannanthota, Kodikamam, Mulliyawalai, Muthur, Dehiwala, Amithirigala, Galle, Weeraketiya, Aiththimale, Ethiliwewa, Wanduramba and Mapalagama.

The applications related to obtaining liquor licences for the stores in these areas have been issued by the Excise Department, and they have been signed by the Revenue Operations Commissioner of the Excise Department.

However, when asked, Excise Commissioner General Saman Jayasinghe said that the issuance of new liquor licences has been stopped, and that no letter related to the issuance of new liquor licences has been received from the Presidential Secretariat.

Meanwhile, when the former Excise Commissioner General has inquired Mr. Gunasiri about the letter, he has said that if someone makes a request regarding obtaining liquor licences, the letter will only be forwarded to the Excise Commissioner General, and that no undue influence will be made.

He also said that only the Excise Commissioner General has the authority to issue liquor licences.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Liquor Licensing Association President Ajith Udugama said that a Director General of the President’s Secretariat cannot issue liquor licences. Although only the Excise Commissioner General has the authority to issue licences subject to the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, he said that some have obtained millions of rupees by granting licences.

He said the liquor licence is a special privilege given to the people, and although it should be given under a fair system, it is now being issued for money.

He further said that legal action will be taken against granting licences in this manner.

Source – Aruna