They have sought the meeting by citing that they were in serious difficulties following the imposition of Rs. 20 million excise tax by the interim budget, in order to serve the wants of a major producer.

According to Central Bank reports, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Plc. is the highest tax paying alcohol company with a monthly payment of nearly Rs. 04 billion.

Intercontinental Distilleries Ltd. pays a Rs. 800 million tax each month, while Rocklands and Mendis pay between Rs. 500 m and Rs. 600 m. similar excise taxes are being paid by beer producers Asia Pacific Breweries and Lion Breweries.

The rest of the companies pays monthly taxes of less than Rs. 10 m each.

The country has around 14 alcohol producers.