The Excise Department is investigating the now closed Wayamba Trading distillery, owned by former minister Johnston Fernando, who had previously been accused of illegally importing ethanol.

Also, distilleries that cannot pay taxes of Rs. 20 million a month have been ordered to be closed from May 01, which will affect around 10 distilleries.

In the light of these developments, investigators believe the ethanol had been imported on February 05 by a person who can earn profits and also is not under any pressure by the government.

When contacted, a liquor manufacturer told SLM on condition of anonymity that only major scale manufacturers can profit by importing such a big amount of ethanol.

A litre of ethanol (96 per cent ethyl alcohol) has a three 750 millilitre bottle output.

Meanwhile, several persons have attempted to obtain liquor manufacturing licenses in the recent past.