Liquor Licensees Association accuses Excise Department of not supporting tax workshop under ’Badu Shakthi’ national tax week

• Writes a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The Sri Lanka Liquor Licensees Association (SLLLA) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alleging that the Department of Excise and several other state institutions failed to support a workshop aimed at improving tax compliance among liquor license holders. The workshop, held on 14 June 2025 at Avenra Garden Hotel, Negombo, was organised by the SLLLA as part of the “Badu Shakthi” National Tax Week.

In a letter signed by the Association’s Chairman and Secretary, the SLLLA stated that it invited the Excise Department and other relevant bodies to take part in the workshop, but only the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) sent a representative. They thanked the IRD official for participating and providing useful information on the importance of tax payments.

According to the Association, the Excise Department not only failed to attend the event but also misled other Government institutions by claiming that the workshop was being held to promote alcohol. The SLLLA accused the Excise Department of spreading this message to discourage participation from others.

The letter went on to state that the Excise Department has shown no real interest in educating liquor licensees about legal matters and appears to treat awareness among license holders as a threat. The SLLLA further claimed this reluctance benefits corrupt officials whom they claimed can continue illegal practices without being questioned.

The Association also referred to issues relating to liquor licenses issued during the last Presidential Election period. It claimed that the Legal Division of the Excise Department advised individuals to file cases in the Court of Appeal challenging these licenses, but later informed the courts that it (Excise Department) had no objection to the licenses being issued. The SLLLA alleged that Excise officials have been requesting bribes in connection with the matter. Two of these cases are reportedly set to be heard before the Supreme Court.

In light of these claims, the SLLLA called for a formal investigation into the conduct of the Excise Department. It requested that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) look into the Department’s actions, particularly regarding interference in the tax workshop in question and alleged misconduct in the handling of liquor licenses.

The Association stated that its main goal in organising the workshop was to help licensees better understand their tax responsibilities and increase the Government’s tax income. Instead, it accused the Excise Department of trying to sabotage these efforts and create friction between the Association and state authorities

It also charged that the Department is not taking action against open liquor promotions taking place in public, even though it allegedly claimed that a workshop intended to improve compliance was a promotional event.

Copies of the letter have been sent to senior officials including the Commissioner General of Excise, Deputy Commissioner General of Excise, and Director General of the CIABOC.

The SLLLA further noted that it is ready to present evidence to back its claims and wants a proper inquiry into what it described as unfair and damaging behaviour by Excise Department officials.