By: Isuru Parakrama
October 08, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of U.D.N. Jayaweera, a Senior Special Grade Officer from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), as the Acting Commissioner General of Excise with immediate effect.
This decision was announced by Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath during a press conference held earlier today (08).
Minister Herath highlighted the critical role played by the Sri Lanka Excise Department, describing it as one of the government’s principal revenue-collecting bodies.
He stressed that the department’s efficiency and adherence to good governance practices are essential to maintaining and improving government revenue.
The appointment of Jayaweera aims to provide the department with leadership capable of tackling future challenges while continuing to meet its revenue targets.
Herath explained that the government is focused on ensuring the department is well-positioned to achieve its objectives amidst an evolving economic landscape.
The decision also entails the immediate dismissal of the current Commissioner General of Excise, J.M. Gunasiri, who had been serving on a contract basis.
The proposal, submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Formulation, Planning, and Tourism, was approved to ensure that leadership changes aligned with the government’s broader fiscal goals.
Jayaweera, currently serving as Additional Secretary (Agency Coordination II) at the Presidential Secretariat, will take over the leadership of the Excise Department.
His appointment is viewed as a strategic move to bolster the department’s efficiency in revenue collection, an essential factor in the government’s economic recovery plans.
