President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to implement a proper mechanism for issuing excise licenses, emphasizing the need to uphold the law and prevent abuse of power. These directives were issued during a meeting with senior Excise Department officials at the Presidential Secretariat today (5 December), the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

The President highlighted the importance of timely and efficient tax collection, highlighting the challenges faced by the department in this area. He called for new strategies to address issues such as overdue taxes, revoking licenses of blacklisted institutions, and improving the collection process to ensure compliance.

During the meeting, officials briefed the President on several issues, including weaknesses in the current tax collection system and deficiencies in the recruitment process for excise officers. The President also expressed concern over the negative public perception of the Excise Department and emphasized the need for improved management to better support the country’s economy.

The discussion also touched on the production and packaging processes, with a particular focus on the harmful impact of artificial toddy on public health. Senior officials from the Excise Department, including Commissioner Rohana Senarathna and Deputy Commissioner R.V.S. Tissa Kumara, participated in the meeting.