Liquor consumption down, excise revenue up

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Consumption of liquor in the country has reportedly decreased while excise revenue has increased from Rs. 22 000 million in 2007 to Rs.25,000 million in 2008 as excise duty.

The Commissioner General of Excise Department, Wasantha Hapuarachchi yesterday said that the production of alcoholic beverages had also declined by 2.6 per cent this year compared to the previous year.

The Excise Department has carried out 50,000 raids this year from January to November and cracked on 50,000 persons engaged in the trade of illicit liquor, said Hapuarachchi.

The Department has collected Rs. 168 million by fines imposed on illicit liquor, cannabis and heroin dealers, he said.