Record liquor revenue of Rs.70.4bn achieved up to March 31- Excise

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana 

A record revenue of Rs.70.4 billion has been earned through taxes on liquor by the Excise Department of Sri Lanka (EDSL) up to March 31, making a significant increase in the percentage from the stipulated target of Rs.61.95 billion meant for the first quarter of 2026, the department announced yesterday.  

The department has earned an excess of Rs.8.45 billion for the first quarter of this year, achieving an increase in the percentage up to 113.6 percent from the stipulated target and a significant increase of 114.8 percent compared to the target set up for the first quarter of 2025. 

Being the third largest revenue generating arm of the Treasury, the Finance Ministry has set a target of Rs.245 billion for the EDSL for 2026.  

According to Excise Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner A.A. Roshan Perera, strict monitoring of countrywide liquor distilleries and manufacturers as well as careful enforcement of the security sticker on liquor bottles has made an exceptional liquor revenue generation for the first quarter.