Tax stamp fraudsters seek to slip through loophole: Pathirana

MP Buddhika Pathirana 

Main Opposition MP, Buddhika Pathirana, says attempts are afoot to let off excise officials charged with affixing fake tax stamps on alcohol products through a loophole in the Excise Ordinance. 

Addressing the media, the SJB MP charged the Department was working to list the act as a technical error, and let the said officials off with a mere slap on the wrist. 

He said the Commissioner General of Excise was aware of the matter, and it was inconceivable given the nature of this predetermined crime.

“This is just as bad as printing counterfeit money. This is a predetermined act, and if these officials are let off in this manner we can only assume that the Excise Commissioner too is under the payroll of corrupt forces. If this happens, he would be complicit in acting to save these offenders,” Pathirana said.

The MP added the case with regard to fake tax stamps was also taken up for discussion by the Committee on Ways and Means under the leadership of parliamentarian, Patali Champika Ranawaka, and expressed confidence that the committee would take the matter forward. 

Pathirana said he has been agitating on the tax stamp fraud for years, and now that the parliamentary committee has taken up the matter the Treasury would be forced to conduct a thorough investigation.