Fake stamps on alcohol products a racket from within Excise Dept. claims Pathirana

MP Buddhika Pathirana 

Main Opposition MP Buddhika Pathirana has alleged that over 100 registered wine stores countrywide are engaged in selling alcohol products bearing fake tax stamps. 

He charged that this racket is taking place with full knowledge and protection of some senior officers at the Department of Excise, and that these products have been found in outlets at Jaffna, Rathnapura, Galle, Nuwara Eliya and other districts.

Speaking in Parliament, SJB MP Pathirana said the racket revolves around two senior officials of the Excise Department, who were previously charged with bribery allegations in 2004. He added the fake stickers are distributed from a house belonging to one such official in the Kochchikade area, and stated that when some officials had moved to raid the said house the team had been recalled by a certain additional commissioner of excise. 

Pathirana raised this query in the house to State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, who responded that an investigation would be commenced immediately and action initiated against any perpetrators. The State Minister noted that since the introduction of tax stamps in 2016, Government revenue for excise had risen over Rs. 19 billion, but conceded that there still remains areas of concern that need addressing.