Rockland Distilleries (Ltd.) director Dr. Ramal Wijeratne said they could in no way make an annual payment of Rs. 150 million.

Two separate licenses have to be obtained for distilling and bottling, he said.

Excise taxes have been raised by 30 per cent by the state, which already gets 60 pc of the income through taxes, according to Wijeratne.

Payment of license fees etc. has to be done with the remaining 40 pc, he said.

Rockland has 400 employees and around 2,000 dependents, said the director.

No discussions given

Both the treasury and the finance ministry are yet to respond to their request for a discussion, he said.

The verdict in a court case pertaining this matter will be delivered on January 17, added Wijeratne.