Govt. to submit new Excise Bill this month

Finance Minister Mangala Samarawera 

By Charumini de Silva

Finance Minister Mangala Samarawera yesterday said the Government has finalised the draft of the new Excise Bill, which will hopefully be submitted to Parliament this month.

“We have finalised the Excise Bill with amendments, and I am hoping to get Parliament approval before the end of October,” he told journalists.

He pointed out that the Excise Bill, which was drafted in 1911, was outdated, and that amendments to the law were critical.

Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga said the new Act will include tougher quality assurance, inspection, and enforcement laws, that were not available in the previous law.

“At the moment the Department of Excise does not have the laboratory facilities to carry out the quality assurance inspection of liquor, and with the new Bill they will be able to apprehend companies that are releasing liquor products without the proper standards,” he added.

Minister Samaraweera also justified the recent decision to increase the limit imposed on the sale, transportation and possession of foreign liquor, stating that it was a necessity of the modern lifestyle of the people.

“I believe that people should be allowed to have a stock of foreign liquor, or if not, our people are breaking into houses, or try to sell it at a black market price. Most of us buy foreign liquor when we travel abroad through the duty-free shops,” he said.

The Department of Excise amended the regulations to permit the retail sale, transportation, and possession of foreign liquor up to 80 litres from 7.5 litres from 1 October.

The Minister however said severe penalties will be imposed on those engaged in illicit liquor-making in the country.