By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Claiming that the huge revenue target of Rs. 217 billion given for the Department of Excise for 2023 is highly unrealistic, recently appointed Excise Chief Saman Jayasinghe yesterday said the only way out is to export local booze to meet the targets.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror at the 110th Anniversary celebrations of the Excise Department of Sri Lanka, the newly appointed Commissioner General said that he is formulating novel strategies to meet this massive revenue target set up for the department to be fulfilled by the end of this year. 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror at the 110th Anniversary celebrations of the Excise Department of Sri Lanka, the newly appointed Commissioner General said that he is formulating novel strategies to meet this massive revenue target set up for the department to be fulfilled by the end of this year. 

“I am not sure who and why these policies and targets are being made because ultimately the excessive taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages will crush the consumers, whom the department is solely dependent on for its intended revenue for the government,” Mr. Jayasinghe said.   

He said one of the practical solutions he could think of to meet this impractical target is to export locally produced alcoholic spirits like arrack and toddy, which has a high demand in the European and Western markets.   

“We are hoping to invite potential foreign customers to invest in the local trade under the due process and produce and promote our local spirits in the international market, so that we could generate foreign exchange,” the ECG said.   

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, along with senior Excise officials and Additional Excise Commissioner General Kapila Kumarasinghe were present at the occasion held at the Excise Department Headquarters in Rajagiriya yesterday.