News
JVP: Govt. moving to reward two of its cronies with new liquor manufacturing licences
The JVP yesterday renewed its accusation that the government was planning to issue two new liquor manufacturing licences to SLPP’s cronies.
Addressing the media at Anuradhapura, JVP Central Committee Member and former MP Wasantha Samarasinghe said one of the licences would be given to a very close friend of the Finance Minister to manufacture liquor.
“The other licence is to be given to a businessman who is already engaged in importing spirit and bottling them here. That licence is given to manufacture wine.”
The JVPer said that the issue had been raised by several others, but the government had failed to give an assurance that no new liquor manufacturing licences would be issued. “The issue has been raised in Parliament, too, but the government is determined to go ahead and give the licences without following proper procedure. “Worst, under the guise of producing local wine, the liquor manufacturer would get tax concessions. He would have to pay only Rs 900 per litre of liquor, which would be labeled as a local product. The actual tax should have been Rs 3,200 per litre. The businessman will have the chance of evading Rs 2,300 per every litre he is going to produce.”
When the issue was raised in Parliament the government promised to look into the matter, but the process of issuing the licences was in progress on the sly, Samarasinghe alleged.
“We heard the Commissioner General of Excise say at a recent press conference that no new licences would be issued for the manufacture of liquor without the permission of the Finance Minister. The power to issue such licences is with the Minister of finance.”
The JVP Central Committee member said that the Committee on Public Accounts had recently revealed that the liquor producing companies were dodging taxes, causing a loss of Rs 2,380 million to the state coffers. Their surcharges were around Rs 1,900 million. “It is in this context that several leaders in this government are planning to issue new liquor manufacturing licences.”
Samarasinghe said the JVP would remain alert and do everything in its power to stop the government from issuing the licences at issue.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
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