President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to adopt a formalized approach to issuing excise licenses, ensuring transparency and adherence to the law.
During a meeting held today (05) with senior officials of the Excise Department at the Presidential Secretariat, the President emphasized the necessity of enforcing legal frameworks without misuse of authority. He underscored the importance of collecting taxes promptly, a critical step in maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The discussion also addressed challenges in excise tax collection and associated irregularities. Proposals such as enforcing tax recovery from delinquent institutions, revoking licenses of blacklisted entities, and implementing stricter measures to tackle tax evasion were deliberated in detail.
The inadequacies in existing rules and regulations related to tax collection came under scrutiny, alongside issues in the recruitment process for excise officers. These structural weaknesses have been identified as obstacles to the department’s efficiency.
President Dissanayake further highlighted the negative public perception of the Excise Department and called for improvements to ensure the institution contributes effectively to the national economy.
Officials also briefed the President on challenges in production and packaging processes. Special attention was given to public health concerns, particularly the adverse effects of artificial sweeteners.
The meeting was attended by Excise Commissioner Rohana Senaratne, Deputy Excise Commissioner R.V.S. Tissa Kumara, Assistant Excise Commissioner M.J. De Silva, Chief Financial Officer G.A. Chandani, Chief Accountant W.R. Paranagama, and other senior officials of the Excise Department.
This comprehensive dialogue underscores the President’s commitment to enhancing institutional efficiency and upholding public trust in government operations.
