The Excise Department has conducted 24,150 raids throughout the country during the first six months of this year under its program to minimize life risks through the elimination of illicit liquor.

The overall raids conducted in 2018 were 49,312. The revenue of Rs.253 million as fines received from the penalty of the raids conducted by the Excise Department has been credited to the relevant Provincial Council.

Thus the Excise revenue has also been on the increase since 2014. It was recorded as Rs.69 billion in 2014. The excise revenue target in 2019 is Rs.130 billion but it has already reached up to Rs.68 billion at the end of July this year.

The Excise Department which strives to minimize illicit liquor, is intending to eliminate life risk of the people who may be exposed to illicit liquor. It has set up 56 branch offices throughout the island in this regard. More than 1,200 officers have been serving in these branch offices.