By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Mendis Distilleries which is owned by Arjun Aloysius is yet to settle due tax arrears and therefore it has not been allowed to function, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament yesterday. 

Responding to a question raised by SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha in the House, the State Minister said Wayamba Distilleries had settled the due amount while it had agreed to settle charges for delayed payment in installments.  

“Both companies were closed down during the last regime. Wayamba Distilleries was suspended despite there being no defaults. Suspending Wayamba has resulted in the government losing Rupees one billion as tax revenue,” he added.  

The state minister revealed that there are 24 distilleries in Sri Lanka currently.    

• Suspending Wayamba has resulted in the government losing Rupees one billion as tax revenue