Excise Dept collects Rs. 588 MN in tax arrears from manufacturers

The Excise Department has collected Rs. 588 million in tax arrears for 2023 from four liquor manufacturers, with the remaining outstanding amount to be paid by November 30.

Excise Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri told *The Sunday Morning* that the department allowed the tax arrears to be paid in installments, and the four companies have paid Rs. 588 million so far.

“They have to pay a remaining amount of approximately Rs. 550 million. The installments can be paid until 30 November,” said Gunasiri.

The Committee on Ways and Means expressed displeasure on Wednesday (10) over the Excise Department’s failure to act on recommendations given in April to collect the total tax amount of Rs. 1.1 billion for 2023 from the relevant liquor manufacturers by June 30.

It was revealed that W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd. owes Rs. 1,659 million, Hingurana Distilleries owes Rs. 102 million, Synergy Distilleries owes Rs. 37 million, and Wayamba Distilleries owes Rs. 79 million in arrears for 2023.