Final decision on increasing annual excise licence fees after President’s return
January 14, 2024 01:38 pm
A final decision on the revision of annual excise licence fees will be taken following further discussions due to the objections by liquor distillers, associations etc., State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.
Accordingly, the state minister also stated that the final decision on the matter will be taken at after President Ranil Wickremesinghe returns to the island.
President Wickremesinghe is currently visiting Switzerland to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum.
The Head of State departed the island yesterday (Jan.13) for a 12-day stay in the Swiss town of Davos where the event is taking place.
However, the government had decided to revise the Annual Excise License fees with effect from 12 January 2024 through an Excise Ordinance issued by the President.
Accordingly, the Distillery License fee (except for Palmyra arrack) was increased from Rs. 01 million to Rs. 25 million while the License fee for Palmyra arrack was increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 05 million.
Meanwhile the License fee for bottling of Toddy was increased from Rs. 01 million to Rs. 10 million while the license fee for manufacturing vinegar had been increased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 2.5 million. The annual Wholesale License for liquor was increased from Rs. 01 million to Rs. 05 million.
The annual license fee for night clubs had been reduced from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 250,000.
