State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday Excise revenue to the government has drastically declined due to these fake security stickers being used by certain local licensed liquor manufacturers.

He said raiding operation against the fake sticker have been successful as the amount of such bottles seized up to last Friday was relatively lower than the amount seized in the week before.

“The perpetrators will be fined up to Rs.500, 000 in each case and the lost excise revenue to the government will also be charged from them. If the perpetrators defy these laws repeatedly their license will be revoked,“ Siyambalapitiya said.

According to the minister the entire Excise production in the country has risen by 11% after the introduction of the security sticker mechanism and the total Excise revenue to the government has increased by 20%.

But since the fake security sticker has entered the industry the previous figures have notably gone down, he said.

(Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana)