Bar permits not given free – it generated significant revenue for the state – former President Ranil
Posted on December 9th, 2024
Courtesy Hiru News
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has clarified that liquor licenses were not issued for profit but as a means to generate significant revenue for the state.
In a statement, he expressed regret over the misuse of the excise license issuance process, which he emphasized was part of a long-term strategy to rebuild the countrys bankrupt economy, now being politicized for narrow agendas.
Wickremesinghe also noted that all amendments related to the process had received the approval of the Public Finance Committee in Parliament