Two liquor manufacturing companies in default of Rs 1.5 billion

• The licenses of these two companies will be cancelled if they fail to settle the due amount by October 15 this  year 

By Yohan Perera

Two companies engaged in liquor production owe a total of Rs.1.5 billion as taxes, the Ways and Means Committee revealed.   

Chairman of the Committee Patali Champika Ranawaka has recommended cancellation of the licenses of these two companies (Wayamba Distilleries (Pvt) and Globe Blenders) if they fail to settle the due amount by October 15 this year.  

It has also been revealed that more than 90 percent of the bottles of liquor that have come under inspection by the Excise Department consist of counterfeit stickers.

   
The committee chairman has also requested the Excise Department to provide a full report on the inspection carried out on counterfeit stickers.   

The Ways and Means Committee decided to look into the possibility of charging a deposit/bond when granting licenses. 

•  More than 90 percent of the bottles of liquor that have come under  inspection consist of counterfeit stickers
• It has been  decided to look into the possibility of charging a deposit/bond when granting licenses