Sri Lanka’s alcohol sales had tumbled by 11% in a 6 months period due to recent Excise Duty on liquor bases on alcohol, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera had told Parliament last week. Minister had made these comments while taking part in second reading debate on the Excise (Amendment) Bill. The Minister also said that the Government would gain an additional revenue between Rs. 20-25 billion as a result of this decision. The Parliament last week passed the Excise (Amendment) Bill.

Minister had further highlighted that the new amendments included a decision to introduce a sticker for every bottle of arrack that was produced legally. According to him this initiative would lead to a reduction in illegally-produced alcohol from contaminating the market while increasing Government revenue through excise duty. 

- Reporting by Devendra Francis