A meeting of the Operations Committee on enhancing tax revenue and implementing structural reforms at the Excise Department was held this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Extensive discussions were held on the progress of the proposed Revenue Administration System for Excise Department (RASED), which is scheduled to be completed within two years, with the aim of ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in the operations of the Excise Department.
The Deputy Minister stated that, under the new Government’s programme for the modernisation of State institutions, strong support is expected for the modernisation and reform of the Excise Department. In this regard, representatives of the Excise Department’s trade unions and all officials expressed their agreement and affirmed their full support for the initiative.
The Excise Department’s financial performance in 2025 was also commended by the Deputy Minister and the Secretary to the President. Excise officials, in turn, assured that all necessary measures would be taken to achieve even stronger financial performance in the year ahead.
It was also decided to expedite the process of amending the Excise Ordinance to align it with current social and technological trends and to complete the proposed amendments within the next two weeks for submission to the Legal Draftsman.
The Committee emphasised the need for a new service minute to enhance the efficiency of the Excise Department. In addition, attention was also given to matters relating to officers’ promotions and the strengthening of the Narcotics Control Division.
Meanwhile, the Steering Committee on enhancing tax revenue and implementing structural reforms of the Excise Department has called upon the public to actively support efforts to curb illegal liquor trafficking operating across the country. The public is requested to report any liquor or drug related offences occurring in any area to the Excise Department via the 1913 hotline.
The discussion was attended by the Commissioner General of Excise Department, M.B.N.A. Premarathne, senior officials representing the Ministry of Finance and the Department of State Fiscal Policy, heads of the Excise Department, representatives of trade unions and officials of the Presidential Secretariat’s Revenue Administration Reform and Modernization Bureau, among others.
