Five liquor distilleries given deadline to pay arrears taxes – AG tells court

Five liquor distilleries given deadline to pay arrears taxes – AG tells court

November 13, 2024   04:46 pm

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that the Department of Excise has decided to suspend the licenses of five liquor manufacturers, including W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd., if they fail to pay arrears taxes before November 30, 2024.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, representing the Excise Commissioner General, informed the court of this when a fundamental rights petition filed by social activist Sanjaya Mahawaththa and others was taken up today (13). 

The petition was heard before a bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Priyantha Fernando.

The Additional Solicitor General stated that five liquor manufacturing companies including W. M. Mendis & Co Ltd and Royal Distilleries (Pvt) Ltd, that have been named as respondents, have agreed to pay the arrears by the end of the month. He also reiterated the Excise Department’s decision to suspend their licenses if payments are not made on time.

The three-judge panel ordered a follow-up hearing on January 22, directing the respondents to report on their progress.

According to the case report, the tax arrears owed by these companies amount to nearly Rs. 6 billion. 

The petitioners argue that the prolonged tax defaults have significantly impacted the national economy and requested that the Excise Department enforce the collection of overdue taxes and suspend licenses for non-compliance.

 

CORRECTION: The article had previously incorrectly named “Royal Casks Distilleries (Pvt)” Ltd as one of the liquor manufacturers with tax arrears and has now been corrected as “Royal Distilleries (Pvt) Ltd”.

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.



NOTE:- Due to legal contstraints, the Ada Derana Editorial team has taken a decision to disable comments on all articles concerning ongoing court procedures.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Suspect arrested for disturbing public peace by promoting LTTE 'Mahaviru' celebrations granted bail (English)

Suspect arrested for disturbing public peace by promoting LTTE 'Mahaviru' celebrations granted bail (English)

Tense situation near Education Ministr (English)

Committee report on privileges of MPs and ex-Presidents presented to President (English)

2024 General Election: Deadline to submit candidates' expense reports (English)

LIVE🔴Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

Four arrested over publicizing LTTE Mahaveerar commemorations (English)

Ex-President Ranil praises President Anura Kumara for commitment to IMF program (English)

Central Bank of Sri Lanka explains impact of deflation (English)