Former President Ranil Wickramasinghe’s office has issued an announcement that the former president did not issue any liquor license in violation of the rules and regulations of the Excise Department.
The announcement further states that the government has received an income of over 100 crore rupees. During the first nine months of this year, an income of 3.1 billion rupees was earned through the new liquor licenses issued by Mr. Wickramasinghe when he was the president.
The notification states that the recommendations mentioned in the letter sent by the Election Commission to the Commissioner General of Excise on August 19, 2024 confirmed the legality of the procedure followed in granting liquor licenses.
It further emphasizes that the current Cabinet has the power to renew or revoke these “formal revenue generating” liquor licences.
This announcement has been issued in response to the accusations made by the Leader of the House Minister Bimal Ratnayake in the Parliament that the former President had issued liquor licenses as political bribes.
Addressing the Parliament recently, Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had issued 361 liquor sales licenses, alleging that 172 of them were given as political bribes.
“Since January, 361 licenses have been issued. Among these are 172 wine storage licenses. We believe that these licenses were given as political bribes given by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to induce MPs to switch parties.” Mr. Ratnayake said while addressing the Parliament.
Meanwhile, a fundamental rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court on November 20, requesting an order that basic human rights have been violated through the decision taken by former President Ranil Wickramasinghe and the respondents to issue liquor licenses contrary to the Excise Act. After the announcement of the 2024 presidential election.
