Fake safety stickers distributed from Excise officer’s residence

• These stickers were found in more than 100 liquor outlets throughout the country 

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   
Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday that fake security stickers which were found on liquor bottles were sent to the Government Analyst for investigation and vowed stern action against the perpetrators. 

 Responding to MP Budddika Pathirana , the Minister told Parliament that the CID is also conducting a separate investigation into the incident.   
MP Pathirana said liquor bottles with fake safety stickers have been found in more than 100 liquor outlets throughout the country and that all the recovered liquor bottles belong to Mendis Distilleries. He said the fake safety stickers have been distributed from a house of an excise officer in Gampaha District.  
“The government has earned Rs. 19 billion after introducing the safety stickers,” he said.   
Meanwhile, the Committee on Ways and Means has revealed that some 6,000 liquor bottles with fake safety stickers have been seized by the excise officials during raids carried out throughout the country. The Committee on Ways and Means has given the Excise Department time till August 31 to submit a report on the fake stickers and to inform them of the action that is to be taken against companies which have used fake stickers.