Controversy over the proposed project of security stickers on all liquor bottles Fin. Min. to decide to go ahead or not – Excise Dept.

• The Minister is likely to appoint a committee to look further into the matter before arriving at any decision 

 By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Going ahead with the controversial project on a proposed security sticker on all locally made liquor bottles, which was scheduled to be implemented from August 15th, will be decided on the decision by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Excise Department said yesterday.   

Excise Commissioner General M J Gunasiri speaking to the Daily Mirror last evening said the matter was extensively discussed at a meeting held with the new Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa on Monday.   
A number of senior officials representing the Excise Department, the Finance Ministry and even those who represent the joint Excise trade unions took part at this meeting with Minister Rajapaksa, where the latter had been briefed on the current situation of the project and its complications. 

 
Responding to the fact that the Minister would order to suspend the project, the Excise Chief said that so far he had not been instructed by the Minister to do so.

   
He said however, it is likely for the Minister to appoint a committee to look further into the matter before arriving at any decision, as many have alleged suspicions about granting the tender to print these security stickers at a staggering amount to an infamous company in India, which had been blacklisted in many countries for its corrupt practices.   

“It is likely the Finance Minister would appoint a top level ministerial committee to inquire into the matter and to decide whether to proceed with the project or suspend it by terminating the contract signed between the Indian company and the ministry for the project in 2019,” Mr. Gunasiri said.   

He said a five-year contract had been signed with the Indian company and that a compensation fee might have to be paid to them if the government is cancelling it early.   

Numerous revelations made by Opposition MP Buddhika Pathirana in Parliament about the questionable nature of the Indian company MSP (Madras Security Printers) and allegations leveled by the Excise trade unions had led to a controversy as to why the Ministry of Finance had chose the particular company for this project.