Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake made this observation in Parliament yesterday (June 21) responding to a question raised by UPFA Colombo District MP Bandula Gunawardena.

The minister said the country had produced Rs.52 million worth hard liquor and Rs.126 million worth malt beer in 2015.

“The government earned Rs.80,711 million from hard liquor and Rs.24,639 million from beer as excise income,” Minister Karunanayake said.

When he was asked as to why production of hard liquor and malt liquor in 2015 was increased, Minister Karunanayake said initiatives taken to stop the import of illegal ethanol, increase in the raids of manufacturing, delivering and selling of illicit liquor and increase of detection of duty unpaid on foreign liquor had contributed to an increase of production.