AG to initiate District Court action to recover Rs. 6.2 b liquor tax arrears

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 05:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tells Supreme Court recovery proceedings will be instituted against liquor manufacturers
Petition filed by 17 social activists seeking immediate recovery of outstanding dues

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that it will institute proceedings before the District Court to recover more than Rs. 6.2 billion in alleged tax arrears owed by liquor manufacturing companies, signalling the State’s intention to pursue judicial recovery of the long-outstanding dues.

Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, appearing for the Attorney General, made the disclosure when a Fundamental Rights petition filed by 17 social activists came up before Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Arjuna Obeyesekere.

The petition seeks an order directing the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to recover all outstanding tax arrears allegedly due from liquor manufacturing companies.

According to the petitioners, unpaid taxes owed by liquor manufacturers had risen to Rs. 6.221 billion as at 15 June 2023.

The respondents include the Commissioner General of Excise, the State Minister of Finance, the Auditor General, and several liquor manufacturing companies, including W.M. Mendis and Co., Ltd., Wayamba Distilleries Ltd., Globe Blenders and Bottlers Lanka Ltd., McCallum Brewing Co., Ltd., Kalutara Co-operative Distilleries Society Ltd., Finland Distilleries Corporation Ltd., Synergy Distilleries Ltd., Randenigala Distilleries Lanka Ltd., Hingurana Distilleries Ltd., and Royal Ceylon Distilleries Ltd.

The petition was filed by 17 social activists, including Sanjaya Mahawaththa.

Following the Attorney General’s disclosure, the Supreme Court fixed the petition for further hearing on 16 November.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, with Manujaya De Silva, instructed by Manjula Balasooriya, appeared for the petitioners.