News
COPA recommends Excise Department speedily set up computer database to streamline its revenue calculation
by Saman Indrajith
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has directed the Excise Department to expedite the establishment of the computer database system to streamline the calculation of its revenue. This system will link the Excise Department, the Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department.
According to a COPA media release this recommendation was made to the Excise Department during the COPA meeting chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitarana, held on 19 April to inquire into the Auditor General’s Report for the Department for the year 2020 and its current performance.
Commissioner General of Excise M.J. Gunasiri told the Committee that preliminary work on the computer system has already begun and it will be completed by January 2023.
The Committee instructed the Commissioner General to call for bids from the University of Moratuwa and the University of Colombo and make appropriate arrangements.
The Committee pointed out that establishing the database would enable the government to carry out the functions of the Excise Department, one of the country’s leading revenue earners, more efficiently and to increase its revenue significantly.
The Committee also drew attention to the progress made in maintaining a secure sticker management system for bottles of liquor and liquor-related products to increase government revenue. It was revealed that with the introduction of this sticker management system, the revenue of the Excise Department has increased by 17% in the first three months of last year alone.
The Committee also focused on management shortcomings, including the failure to document and maintain information on excise duty reduction on liquor exports and directed that appropriate action be taken to rectify them as soon as possible.
Members of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, (Dr.) (Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Prasanna Ranaweera, Mohomad Muzammil, (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi and Weerasumana Weerasinghe were also present at this meeting.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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