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Afrin
Afrin
Dec 31 2025
31- Commitment of officers and a corruption-free operational framework contributed to this achievement – Commissioner General of Excise Department
- Efforts must be intensified to recover all revenue legally due to the Government – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that every effort must be made to recover all revenue due to the Government and emphasized that the key sectors responsible for generating state revenue carry a significant responsibility in building economic and social stability in the country.
The President made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday afternoon (30) at the Excise Department auditorium with senior officials to review the Department’s performance in 2025 and its targets for 2026.
The Excise Department is on track to surpass its 2025 revenue target of Rs. 227.4 billion, with expected revenue reaching Rs. 231.3 billion. This marks the first time in its history that the Department has achieved 102% of its revenue target.
The President noted that the country’s economy depends on the level of state revenue generated, and stressed that if state revenue collapses, the national economy will also collapse. He further pointed out that the country was compelled to face severe consequences due to the sharp decline in state revenue during the years 2020–2021.
The President’s attention was drawn to the challenges faced by the Excise Department in carrying out its functions, including issues related to vehicles and buildings. In particular, the President emphasized the need to reach an internal consensus and to resolve, without delay, the issues arising from vacancies in executive positions and related appointments.
The meeting further reviewed the progress of amendments to the Excise Ordinance, as well as the status of illicit liquor and narcotics detection operations carried out in 2025.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Commissioner General of Excise M.B.N.A. Premarathna, along with senior officials and members of the Excise Department staff, were present at the meeting.
Source: Adaderana
