
Sri Lanka’s liquor-loving public appears to be doing the heavy lifting for the national treasury, with excise revenue surpassing expectations well ahead of schedule. As of May 31, 2025, the Excise Department reported to the Parliament’s Ways and Means Committee that Rs. 98 billion or 104% of the targeted amount for the first five months had already been collected.
Out of the Rs. 242 billion annual excise revenue target for 2025, a staggering Rs. 240 billion is projected to come from alcohol sales, with only Rs. 2 billion expected from beedis, showing a clear tilt in the nation’s vice economics.
Compared to the Rs. 88 billion collected during the same period last year, this year’s revenue has jumped by Rs. 10 billion, suggesting either increased consumption, higher taxation, or improved enforcement. Either way, officials say the numbers reflect a trend where the country’s so-called “drinking heroes” are unintentionally helping to keep the economy afloat one bottle at a time.
While health advocates may worry, treasury officials are raising a different kind of toast.