Information revealed before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance has indicated that financial irregularities may have occurred in relation to the application of security stickers on alcoholic beverage bottles.The Committee on Public Finance stated that the cost of printing the security stickers affixed to liquor bottles has not been reduced despite the use of digital printing methods.

The Committee met recently at the Parliamentary Complex under the chairmanship of Dr Harsha de Silva.Senior officials of the Excise Department were summoned before the Committee to review the Department’s performance.Speaking during the proceedings, Deputy Excise Commissioner M. Jayantha Silva stated that digital security markings are used on the products of two companies because moisture accumulates on the bottles during the cooling process, making it difficult to affix paper stickers.

He further said that around 80 per cent of bottles carry digital security markings.According to him, the cost remains US$7.99 per 1,000 units even when digital printing is used.It was also revealed that the security sticker cannot be affixed to bottles produced by two local manufacturers of liquor and beer. As a result, the security feature is applied directly onto the bottle through digital printing.During the discussion, Committee Chairman Dr Harsha de Silva questioned the arrangement.