21 October 2022 09:53 am Views - 94
By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana
The Ministry of Finance ordered an urgent report from the Department of Excise on several alarming issues pertaining to the alcohol industry and its taxation including artificially produced toddy entering the country’s liquor production process.
The issues were transpired at a special meeting held between the State Minister of Finance, the Excise Chief and the liquor license holders association.
Certain liquor manufacturers using adulterated or artificially developed toddy for their arrack production has been discussed in the depth at the meeting and the minister inquired about the background of this problem.
The Excise officials explained that less than one third of the daily toddy requirement is met currently and many toddy suppliers try to adulterate their stocks with various chemicals.
The local liquor industry requires about 160, 000 liters of toddy per day but only 45, 000 liters of natural toddy could be supplied for a day. Because of this shortage the toddy suppliers tend to multiply their stocks by including various chemicals to enhance the supply. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya instructed Excise Commissioner General M. J. Gunasiri to submit a report within a month regarding this issue.
The officials also discussed how certain liquor license holders violate their permit conditions by putting up liquor selling outlets wherever they please.