News
National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection urges govt to plug revenue drains through Budget
by Saman Indrajith
The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection yesterday called on the government to think out of the box and set up new mechanisms through the upcoming budget to rope in illicit and unlicensed liquor, tobacco businesses and thereby prevent losses to the tune of Rs 180 billion a year to government coffers.
Addressing the media at the Center for Society and Religion in Maradana yesterday, President of the NMCRP, Ranjith Withanage said that it was usual for the government to introduce new taxes on liquor and tobacco through the annual budget to increase government revenue. “But in reality when the taxes of those items increased, the majority would move for cheaper products––the illegal tobacco and illicit toddy. Owing to the illicit liquor and tobacco, the government loses over Rs 180 billion a year. We hope this government will be able to plug this drain.
“We look at this problem from the perspective of the consumers. On coming 17, the government is to present a new budget which is expected to provide relief to people. In order to achieve the economic prosperity the government should think of bringing about new policies. It should strengthen the regulation mechanism of using Excise and Police Departments to enforce laws strictly against those who have been increasing their income whenever the government jacks up the prices of alcohol and tobacco.
“It is estimated that owing to illicit liquor and tobacco the government loses around 100 billion rupees and because of illicit toddy around 80 billion rupees a year.”
He said that there are other areas the government should pay its attention to if it wanted to increase the government revenue. “For example, high ranking officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and its engineers are using public funds to pay their income tax. The CEB has decided to pay the direct tax – the taxes paid when the high ranking officials and the engineers earn their income, again. That had to stop, he said, adding that it caused a loss of about Rs 800 million loss to the state coffers.
Withanage said that there were reports to the effect that companies operating under the provisions of Betting and Gaming Levy Act operated not paying taxes to the government. “As per the laws the owners of these establishments should pay taxes separately for each of their centres but they pay only for one such centre each. We do not think that the tax collectors are not aware of this. We hope that this year’s budget would rectify these errors.”
He said that NMCRP had submitted a set of proposals to the government, calling for suggestions from the public at the time of preparing budget proposals and they had included proposals on how the government should increase its revenue by streamlining tax collection.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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