News
Harmful chemicals in liquor: Excise Dept. rejects allegations; consumer rights group warns legal action
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Excise Commissioner (Law Enforcement) Kapila Kumarasinghe yesterday (09) said that a countrywide investigation was underway to ensure arrack producers maintained required standards and action would be taken against those who had violated the license issued to them.
The Excise Commissioner said so when The Island sought his response to accusations that Isopropanol aka Isopropyl used for cleaning purposes had been found in the products of the Royal Ceylon Distilleries Pvt. Limited (formerly Wayamba Distilleries Pvt. Ltd.) and Synergy Distilleries Pvt. Ltd.
Strongly denying accusations that the Excise Department was trying to cover up the detection made recently, Kumarasinghe emphasized that those who propagated lies conveniently forgot that they were commenting on an ongoing investigation. “If we want to suppress information, why on earth did the Excise Department undertake countrywide sampling of liquor products,” Kumarasinghe asked.
The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection, in a statement issued on Wednesday (08) urged the Excise Department to cancel the licenses issued to those who had been found guilty of issuing products injurious to health. The outfit’s President, Ranjith Vithanage said that unless the licenses were revoked, he would soon move court against the Excise Department.
Kumarasinghe said that they were still in the process of carrying out the countrywide sampling. “We are not targeting any particular producer but are engaged in verifying the quality of various products,” Kumarasinghe said.
Responding to another query, the senior Excise official said that law enforcement authorities hadn’t been involved in the investigation and certainly the investigation process was still underway.
Pointing out that the culprits had been revealed thanks to sampling done by the Government Analyst Department recently, Vithanage said that Isopropanol aka Isopropyl was imported as a raw material for the production of anti-covid disinfectant spray.
Vithanage said that the crux of the matter was the failure on the part of the Excise Department to inform the public of the detection made by the Government Analyst’s Department which comes under the purview of the Justice Ministry.
Vithanage asked whether the Excise Department sought to protect the two distilleries because both were previously owned by a former minister of the incumbent dispensation. The civil society activist vowed not to allow those who produced harmful products as well as Excise Department hell-bent on protecting two distilleries to escape.
Kumarasinghe, who is also the Excise Department’s media spokesperson strongly, defended the conduct of the department. The social media and various other interested parties engaged in highly disruptive exercises at the expense of those who honestly performed their duties, Kumarasinghe said. Had there been some wrongdoing, the Department wouldn’t hesitate to take action in line with procedures in place to deal with such situations.
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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