The Excise Department has announced measures to suspend the production activities of liquor companies that have failed to pay excise duty and will not renew their production licenses for the next year under the Excise Ordinance.

This year, production licenses were issued to 23 liquor manufacturing companies. While most companies met the November 30 deadline to clear outstanding excise duty payments, three companies—Welisara W. M. Mendis & Co., Kurunegala Royal Ceylon Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., and Meegoda McCallum Brewery Ltd.—remain non-compliant. Legal proceedings have been initiated against these companies, and further action will depend on court rulings.

The Department is also investigating the ownership of defunct companies, including Lunuwila Glow Blenders, Wayamba Spirits Company, and Payagala Cooperative Liquor Manufacturing Plants, to recover unpaid taxes.

In addition, production activities at the Valikamam Liquor Manufacturing Plant in Wankane, Northe Province, have been suspended until excise duty arrears are cleared.