The above measures were taken after a probe was conducted on 68,000 arrack bottles stored in 04 lorries found at a business premises in the Dematagoda area.

At the present, the Excise Department has sealed Wayamba Distilleries’ main factory and warehouse in Kurunegala as well as the warehouse in Jaffna.

Massive tax evasion
Internal sources of the Excise Department say that production of the company was initially done by another businessman but activities were suspended over non payment of tax amounting to millions of rupees.

However, the company was taken over after the former minister has intervened, and promised to cover the tax, sources add.

Nevertheless, production tax amounting to millions are yet to be paid, sources further say.