Tuesday Aug 18, 2026
Tuesday Aug 18, 2026
Monday, 17 August 2026 04:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has called for a review of the cost structure of Sri Lanka’s liquor security sticker system, questioning why digital codes are charged at the same rate as physical stickers despite their lower production cost.
The CoPF, chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, examined the cost, technical standards, and fiscal benefits of the system, which was introduced following the 2016 Budget to curb untaxed and counterfeit liquor and safeguard excise revenue.
The contract was awarded in 2017 to Indian company Madras Security Printers (MSP). The system was subsequently expanded in 2021 to permit digital inkjet codes to address difficulties in applying physical stickers on high-speed liquor production lines.
However, the Committee was told that the fee of $ 5.99 per 1,000 paper stickers is also charged for 1,000 digitally printed codes.
The CoPF noted that while initial infrastructure costs for digital printing machinery at bottling plants had to be considered, digital codes would generally cost less than paper stickers. It therefore called for a review of the existing pricing structure and the economic benefits accruing to the Government.
The Committee also called for the adoption of relevant international ISO standards and a Track and Trace system covering liquor products from production to the consumer, alongside a mobile application allowing consumers to verify product authenticity.
With a new tender process under consideration, the CoPF stressed that evaluation should cover price, quality, data security, and technical standards, with officers possessing the required technical expertise included in the evaluation process to guard against counterfeit stickers and imitation.
The Excise Department was instructed to study international practices and submit a report to the Committee.
