The Excise Department has suspended the liquor manufacturing license of W.M. Mendis & Co. effective from December 5. The suspension comes after the company failed to settle excise taxes and surcharges totaling Rs. 5.7 billion.
The department stated that repeated attempts were made to recover the outstanding amount, but the company did not comply with the payment requirements. As a result, the decision was made to suspend its operations until the dues are cleared.
W.M. Mendis & Co., a prominent name in Sri Lanka’s liquor industry, is now barred from producing or distributing its products under the current license. The Excise Department warned that if the company does not resolve the issue promptly, further legal action may be taken, including permanent revocation of the license.
This suspension is expected to impact the liquor market significantly, as W.M. Mendis & Co. is a major player in the industry, known for producing popular alcoholic beverages. Industry analysts predict potential supply disruptions and price fluctuations in the coming weeks.
The Excise Department reiterated its commitment to enforcing tax compliance across the industry, emphasizing that no manufacturer will be allowed to operate without settling their dues.
