The Sri Lankan government has earned Rs. 105.35 billion in excise tax revenues from the hard liquor and malt liquor production in the country in last year, the Government Information Department said.

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake has made this revelation in parliament Tuesday (June 21) responding to a question raised by UPFA Colombo District MP Bandula Gunawardena.

According to the Minister 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 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 in detection of unpaid duty on foreign liquor had contributed to an increase of production.