Excise revenue up

Walter Liyanarachchi

The Excise Revenue contributed to the Government coffers during the first five months of 2010 has risen to Rs. 14,256 million. The revenue collected during the corresponding period last year had been Rs. 11,938 million.

Revealing the above figures Excise Commissioner General D. G. M. V. Hapuarachchi told the Daily News that a strong network structure is in the process of formulating to combat illicit liquor and offences committed under Excise Regulations to generate more revenue in the near future.

Excise Deputy Commissioner General A. Bodaragama said that when executing a difficult task of this nature the Department should have more efficient officers to deal with the offenders. However, the Department needs more staff vehicles to keep pace with the offenders.

There were 43,478 detections last year. The suspects were produced in respective courts and almost all the prosecutions were successful. During last year 4,003 liquor licence holders were brought to book for the violation of licence condition that included night clubs, karoke bars and casinos, an official said.

The majority of cases were reported from Wayamba, which amounted to 9,885 last year.