News

Rs.40mn fine imposed on liquor company with fake stickers!

Published

1 year ago

September 8, 2023

editor

The Excise Department informed the Parliament’s Committee on Ways and Means that more than 44,000 bottles of liquor with fake stickers were seized during the inspection of 52 liquor bottle manufacturing sites.

The Excise Department said that the fine collected from one company for the liquor bottles with fake stickers was nearly Rs.40 million.

This information was revealed at the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means yesterday which was held under the chairmanship of MP Patali Champika Ranawaka. A group of officials including Excise Commissioner General Saman Jayasinghe were present at the meeting.

Due to the use of fake stickers, the tax revenue that has been lost to the country so far is Rs.2,900 from each bottle of liquor. The recent raids were conducted by the Excise Department following the recommendations given by the committee on August 22, 2023.

MP Ranawaka recommended to the Excise Department that if these fake sticker smuggle continues, the licenses of the alcohol manufacturing companies should be revoked according to Section 27 of the Excise Act and to complain to the Criminal Investigation Department.

An app

The Committee recommended to the Excise Department to introduce a mobile app based on QR technology that will allow the people to identify the standard of the liquor bottles.

Accordingly, it was decided that an IT application containing the following components should be introduced before the end of this year.

* Ability to automatically calculate tax immediately after completion of production process.
* Ability to renew licenses online.
* Automatic cancellation of licenses in case of tax default.
* Being able to interact with other institutions and the facility to use the National Identity Card number as the identification number.

License to be revoked if taxes not paid

Furthermore, the committee also instructed to cancel the licenses in accordance with Section 27 of the Excise Ordinance Act by October 30, if the manufacturing factories failed to pay the tax dues as per the Rs.6 billion arrears payment plan.

In addition to these recommendations, the Committee on Ways and Means gave recommendations to introduce a system that can monitor all 38 toddy factories, a common identification method for all liquor bottles that can easily identify fake liquor bottles and to set up a system where the Commissioner General of Excise can supervise all 23 liquor manufacturing factories.

News

‘Will never allow Sri Lankan territory to be used inimical for India’s security interests’ – President

Published

6 hours ago

October 5, 2024

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would never be allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security interests.

Dissanayake highlighted this, during a discussion held in Colombo with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar who visited Sri Lanka on Friday (04).

Issuing a statement regarding Dr. S. Jaishankar’s Sri Lanka visit, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka stated that regarding security and defence, the meetings brought out that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined. Their collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the stability and security of the region. The importance of a continuous dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity was recognized.

Furthermore, with regard to the ethnic issue and the reconciliation process, EAM reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka., the Indian High Commission mentioned.

Meanwhile, he has assured that the full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment of its Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council elections will facilitate these objectives.

In his meeting with the President, Dr. Jaishankar spoke about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development.

He highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and provide new streams of revenue. The Sri Lankan President said that India’s economic support is critical to realize his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people. He referred to the potential of export of renewable energy to India which could help reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional resources. The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists and recognized that this has the potential to grow further, the Indian High Commission added.

EAM’s conversation with the leadership also covered facilitating Indian investments and job creation in Sri Lanka, as well as expanding the flow of Indian tourists. In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, he underlined that the Government of India was prepared to respond to the training and capacity building requirements of Sri Lanka. Their discussion also focused on the benefits of digital public infrastructure, the statement highlighted.

On Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, EAM recalled that India had been supportive of Sri Lanka’s economic stability and recovery from the very start. It was the first country to give financing assurances which enabled the IMF to finalize the Extended Fund Facility. He confirmed India’s support in the Official Creditors’ Committee in respect of Sri Lanka’s agreement with International Sovereign Bond holders.

India is also willing to expedite the conclusion of its bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission said, noting that the President conveyed his appreciation in that regard.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)