A new gazette notification has been issued revising the procedures and deadlines for the payment of excise taxes and fees related to liquor production.

The gazette, which took effect today (28th), was issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies.

Under the new regulations, all license holders are required to pay the prescribed excise taxes on or before the date specified in Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance.

According to the gazette, if a license holder fails to make full payment within 30 days of the due date, their bottling license will be suspended.

The Excise Department stated that this enforcement mechanism is a new legal provision that had not been implemented previously.

Additionally, if a license holder fails to settle the due taxes or fees within 90 days of the specified date, all licenses held by that individual will be suspended.

Previously, the suspension period was six months, but the revised regulations have reduced it to three months.

The Excise Department said the new measures aim to strengthen tax compliance and reduce excise tax evasion among license holders.