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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 22:32:00
20 March 2024 09:36 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, March 20 (Daily Mirror) - Meeting a record annual tax revenue target of Rs.232 billion for the year 2024 is questionable, as Sri Lanka’s liquor consumption has drastically decreased in recent years owing to its ever increasing prices, as revealed by the Chief of Excise Department.
The country’s liquor production as compared to the year 2022 has dropped by 6.5million litres last year, which was a significant amount.
The recently appointed Excise Commissioner General M J Gunasiri on his second tenure as the departmental head told the Daily Mirror, that alcoholic spirits production of 26.5 million litres in 2022 has been dropped to 20 million litres in 2023.
He pointed out that as a result, the sales of 29 million bottles (750ml) of liquor, 54 million half bottles (375ml) and the most popular quarter bottles (180ml) had been reduced by 115 million during last year.
The initial target of tax revenue charged from the alcoholic beverages had been set to Rs.217 billion for the Department of Excise last year by its competent authority the Ministry of Finance, was later revised to Rs.181 billion, he said.
“However, fresh figures have been given by the Ministry of Finance for this year to achieve a target of Rs.232 billion, which is going to be questionable as the consumption is gradually reducing,” Gunasiri said.
The Excise Chief said compared to January 2023, the total production of booze has reduced by 657, 000 litres last January.
“We have already submitted reports to the Ministry of Finance to make them aware of this trend,” the Commissioner General said.
Yohan Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:06 AM
Reduce the price. Simple...
Lakmal Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:23 AM
Even food consumption has been drastically decreased.
Gabriella Wednesday, 20 March 2024 01:01 PM
Let them eat cake ! Even a bottle of Gal costs Rs 3500 said a hapless employee asking for a pay increase. My friend found this a compelling argument to grant the pay rise.
Nicole Phillips Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:23 AM
This is not a surprise. The excise commissioner predicted this would happen. It is ludicrous to expect to meet a revenue target when legal alcohol has been priced out of the reach of the poor man. The only people who benefit from higher prices of legal alcohol are the illicit alcohol producers who rake in untaxed cash hand over fist. It also puts a strain on the hospitals/medical systems as invariably, the people who consume these unregulated illicit spirits are at greater risk of health issues.
Jayantha Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:26 AM
Everything has a limit when increasing. Once that limit passes people will either stop buying or look for cheap alternatives. Also people are struggling to pay electricity bills,water bills,phone and internet bills. So majority of the people have hardly any money for enjoyment. Things will worsen and you will not even able to cover half that value. When taxing it should be reasonable not use it as a way to rob people so that politicians and people like these officials can use that money for free fuel and big salaries.
Kays N Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:40 AM
Village level Kasi production has gone up. Ask a village housewife even 30 km out of Colombo and reality would dawn.
Senaka Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:44 AM
OMG that is very worrying. The govt. should immediately appoint a Committee to look into this serious national issue and perhaps introduce a QR and App to monitor liquor consumption
Sokrates Wednesday, 20 March 2024 11:09 AM
Alcohol consumption has certainly not decreased, but rather increased, as is always the case during crises. The higher the price of legal alcohol rises, the more illegal alcohol is sold. Behind every drop of alcohol sold is a politician, whether directly or indirectly, whether legally or illegally. Before the parliamentarians fall in the next election, 200 wine store licenses should be quickly distributed among their family members. However, since politicians earn far more from illegal alcohol, the decline in legal alcohol is only right for them. The only way to stop this kind of corruption and crime would be to barely tax Gal Arrack.
Ronnie Wednesday, 20 March 2024 11:57 AM
Sokrats agree what you say middle-class and poor mans drink have increased by massive % simply unaffordable for majority population even for some people above middle-class have stop or reduce having a drink it will futher drop in sales other nations di increase prices but accordingly not the way our fellows do...just compare how much have increased since 2yrs ago.....need substance to balance turnover and profitability given all circumstances...
dinesh Wednesday, 20 March 2024 01:07 PM
seriously?? is this not good news....?? but just go to a liquor shop and see...from morning to night still business going on...
Christo255 Wednesday, 20 March 2024 01:07 PM
Incompetent and corrupt excise department, consumption not gone down but bottles with fake stickers with the collusion of excise officials in the market
Shera Wednesday, 20 March 2024 01:31 PM
High prices never stopped an addict. There has been an exodus in the last 3 years due to migration. Could this be a reason for a drop in sales for locally produced liquor? What is the data for imported liquor?
roni Wednesday, 20 March 2024 06:51 PM
RANIL/RAJAPAKSE will increase the present price by 3-fold to please the IMF while people who consume will resort to inferior stuff and fall sick. The result will be Govt hospitals would bear the brunt of the situation. Better reduce the price to enable the poor man to have a decent drink at an affordable price.
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